Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Ifthemoneyismissed,Parkerissuretorememberhavingseenhercomedownthosestairs.Shehasjusttimetorushdowntothestudydoor–withherhandonthehandletoshowthatshehasjustcomeout,whenParkerappearsinthedoorway.Shesaysthefirstthingthatcomesintoherhead,arepetitionofRogerAckroyd’sordersearlierintheevening,andthengoesupstairstoherownroom.""Yes,butlater,"persistedtheinspector,"shemusthaverealizedthevitalimportanceofspeakingthetruth?Why,thewholecasehingesonit!""Afterwards,"saidPoirotdrily,"itwasalittledifficultforMademoiselleFlora.Sheistoldsimplythatthepolicearehereandthattherehasbeenarobbery.Naturallyshejumpstotheconclusionthatthetheftofthemoneyhasbeendiscovered.Heroneideaistosticktoherstory.Whenshelearnsthatheruncleisdeadsheispanic-stricken.Youngwomendonotfaintnowadays,monsieur,withoutconsiderableprovocation.Ehbien!thereitis.Sheisboundtosticktoherstory,orelseconfesseverything.Andayoungandprettygirldoesnotliketoadmitthatsheisathief-especiallybeforethosewhoseesteemsheisanxioustoretain."Raglanbroughthisfistdownwithathumponthetable.

           "I’llnotbelieveit,"hesaid."It’s–it’snotcredible.Andyou–you’veknownthisallalong?""Thepossibilityhasbeeninmymindfromthefirst,"admittedPoirot."IwasalwaysconvincedthatMademoiselleFlorawashidingsomethingfromus.Tosatisfymyself,ImadethelittleexperimentItoldyouof.