Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Itappearsthatwewereeatingchopsforlunch–thekitchenstaffbeingregaledontripeandonions.Andtwochopssetbeforethreepeopleareproductiveofembarrassment.

           ButCarolineisseldomdauntedforlong.Withmagnificentmendacity,sheexplainedtoPoirotthatalthoughJameslaughedatherfordoingso,sheadheredstrictlytoavegetariandiet.Shedescantedecstaticallyonthedelightsofnutcutlets(whichIamquitesureshehasnevertasted)andateaWelshrarebitwithgustoandfrequentcuttingremarksastothedangersof"flesh"foods.

           Afterwards,whenweweresittinginfrontofthefireandsmoking,CarolineattackedPoirotdirectly.

           "NotfoundRalphPatonyet?"sheasked.

           "WhereshouldIfindhim,mademoiselle?""Ithought,perhaps,you’dfoundhiminCranchester,"saidCaroline,withintensemeaninginhertone.

           Poirotlookedmerelybewildered.

           "InCranchester?ButwhyinCranchester?"Ienlightenedhimwithatouchofmalice.

           "OneofouramplestaffofprivatedetectiveshappenedtoseeyouinacarontheCranchesterroadyesterday,"Iexplained.

           Poirot’sbewildermentvanished.Helaughedheartily.

           "Ah,that!Asimplevisittothedentist,c’esttout.Mytooth,itaches.Igothere.Mytooth,itisatoncebetter.Ithinktoreturnquickly.Thedentist,hesaysNo.Bettertohaveitout.Iargue.Heinsists.Hehashisway!Thatparticulartooth,itwillneveracheagain.