Убийство Роджера Экройда

           "Sothat’sit,isit?IsawanoldgenthadbeencroakedatPernly.TryingtomakeoutIdidthejob,areyou?""Youweretherethatnight,"saidPoirotquietly.

           "Howdoyouknow,mister?""Bythis."Poirottooksomethingfromhispocketandhelditout.

           Itwasthegoosequillwehadfoundinthesummerhouse.

           Atthesightofittheman’sfacechanged.Hehalfheldouthishand.

           "Snow,"saidPoirotthoughtfully."No,myfriend,itisempty.Itlaywhereyoudroppeditinthesummerhousethatnight."CharlesKentlookedathimuncertainly.

           "Youseemtoknowahellofalotabouteverything,youlittleforeigncockduck.Perhapsyourememberthis:thepaperssaythattheoldgentwascroakedbetweenaquartertotenandteno’clock?""Thatisso,"agreedPoirot.

           "Yes,butisitreallyso?That’swhatI’mgettingat.""Thisgentlemanwilltellyou,"saidPoirot.

           HeindicatedInspectorRaglan.Thelatterhesitated,glancedatSuperintendentHayes,thenatPoirot,andfinally,asthoughreceivingsanction,hesaid:"That’sright.Betweenaquartertotenandteno’clock.""Thenyou’venothingtokeepmeherefor,"saidKent."IwasawayfromFernlyParkbytwenty-fiveminutespastnine.YoucanaskattheDogandWhistle.That’sasaloonaboutamileoutofFernlyontheroadtoCranchester.Ikickedupabitofarowthere,Iremember.Asnearasnothingtoquartertoten,itwas.