Убийство Роджера Экройда

           "That’swhatIsaid–inhere."Carolinegaveasniffofdisapprovalandretired.Shereturnedinamomentortwo,usheringinPoirot,andthenretiredagain,shuttingthedoorwithabang.

           "Aha!myfriend,"saidPoirot,comingforwardandrubbinghishands."Youhavenotgotridofmesoeasily,yousee!""Finishedwiththeinspector?"Iasked.

           "Forthemoment,yes.Andyou,youhaveseenallthepatients?""Yes."Poirotsatdownandlookedatme,tiltinghisegg-shapedheadononeside,withtheairofonewhosavoursaverydeliciousjoke.

           "Youareinerror,"hesaidatlast."Youhavestillonepatienttosee.""Notyou?"Iexclaimedinsurprise.

           "Ah,notme,bienentendu.Me,Ihavethehealthmagnificent.No,totellyouthetruth,itisalittlecomplotofmine.ThereissomeoneIwishtosee,youunderstand–andatthesametimeitisnotnecessarythatthewholevillageshouldintrigueitselfaboutthematter–whichiswhatwouldhappeniftheladywereseentocometomyhouseforitisalady.Buttoyoushehasalreadycomeasapatientbefore.""MissRussell!"Iexclaimed.

           "Precisement.Iwishmuchtospeakwithher,soIsendherthelittlenoteandmaketheappointmentinyoursurgery.

           Youarenotannoyedwithme?""Onthecontrary,"Isaid.