Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Wecan’tverywellholdhimforobtainingmoneyonfalsepretences.Can’tprovearuddything."Theinspectortossedamatchintothegrateinadisgruntledfashion.Poirotretrieveditandputitneatlyinalittlereceptacledesignedforthepurpose.Hisactionwaspurelymechanical.Icouldseethathisthoughtswereonsomethingverydifferent.

           "IfIwereyou,"hesaidatlast,"IshouldnotreleasethemanCharlesKentyet.""Whatdoyoumean?"Raglanstaredathim.

           "WhatIsay.Ishouldnotreleasehimyet.""Youdon’tthinkhecanhavehadanythingtodowiththemurder,doyou?""Ithinkprobablynot–butonecannotbecertainyet.""Buthaven’tIjusttoldyou-?"Poirotraisedahandprotestingly.

           "Maisoui,maisoui.Iheard.Iamnotdeaf–orstupid,thankthegoodGod!Butyousee,youapproachthematterfromthewrong–thewrong–premises,isnotthattheword?"Theinspectorstaredathimheavily.

           "Idon’tseehowyoumakethatout.Lookhere,weknowMr.Ackroydwasaliveataquartertoten.Youadmitthat,don’tyou?"Poirotlookedathimforamoment,thenshookhisheadwithaquicksmile.

           "Iadmitnothingthatisnot–proved?

           "Well,we’vegotproofenoughofthat.We’vegotMissFloraAckroyd’sevidence.""Thatshesaidgoodnighttoheruncle?Butme–Idonotalwaysbelievewhatayoungladytellsme–no,notevenwhensheischarmingandbeautiful.