Убийство Роджера Экройда

           HecametoFernly,cangivenoaccountofwhathewasdoingthere""Icantellyouwhathewasdoingthere.HenevertouchedahairofoldAckroyd’shead–heneverwentnearthestudy.

           Hedidn’tdoit,Itellyou."Shewasleaningforward.Thatironself-controlwasbrokenthroughatlast.Terroranddesperationwasinherface.

           "M.Poirot!M.Poirot!Oh,dobelieveme."Poirotgotupandcametoher.Hepattedherreassuringlyontheshoulder.

           "Butyes–butyes,Iwillbelieve.Ihadtomakeyouspeak,youknow."Foraninstantsuspicionflaredupinher.

           "Iswhatyousaidtrue?""ThatCharlesKentissuspectedofthecrime?Yes,thatistrue.Youalonecansavehim,bytellingthereasonforhisbeingatFernly.""Hecametoseeme."Shespokeinalow,hurriedvoice."Iwentouttomeethim""Inthesummer-house,yes,Iknow.""Howdoyouknow?""Mademoiselle,itisthebusinessofHerculePoirottoknowthings.Iknowthatyouwentoutearlierintheevening,thatyouleftamessageinthesummer-housetosaywhattimeyouwouldbethere.""Yes,Idid.Ihadheardfromhim–sayinghewascoming.Idarednotlethimcometothehouse.IwrotetotheaddresshegavemeandsaidIwouldmeethiminthesummerhouse,anddescribedittohimsothathewouldbeabletofindit.

           ThenIwasafraidhemightnotwaittherepatiently,andIranoutandleftapieceofpapertosayIwouldbethereabouttenminutespastnine.