Убийство Роджера Экройда

           "Itisnothowdoyousay–mymetier?""I’vegotthefactsprettyclearly,"continuedCaroline,takingnonoticeofPoirot’sremark,"fromJamesandothers.

           AsfarasIcansee,ofthepeopleinthehouse,onlytwocouldhavehadthechanceofdoingit.RalphPatonandFloraAckroyd.""MydearCaroline-""Now,James,don’tinterruptme.IknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.Parkermetheroutsidethedoor,didn’the?

           Hedidn’thearherunclesayinggoodnighttoher.Shecouldhavekilledhimthenandthere.""Caroline!""I’mnotsayingshedid,James.I’msayingshecouldhavedone.Asamatteroffact,though.Floraislikealltheseyounggirlsnowadays,withnovenerationfortheirbettersandthinkingtheyknowbestoneverysubjectunderthesun,Idon’tforaminutebelieveshe’dkillevenachicken.

           Butthereitis.Mr.RaymondandMajorBlunthavealibis.

           Mrs.Ackroyd’sgotanalibi.EventhatRussellwomanseemstohaveone–andagoodjobforheritisshehas.Whoisleft?OnlyRalphandFlora!Andsaywhatyouwill,Idon’tbelieveRalphPatonisamurderer.Aboywe’veknownallourlives."Poirotwassilentforaminute,watchingthecurlingsmokerisefromhiscigarette.Whenatlasthespoke,itwasinagentlefar-awayvoicethatproducedacuriousimpression.

           Itwastotallyunlikehisusualmanner.

           "Letustakeaman–averyordinaryman.Amanwithnoideaofmurderinhisheart.