Убийство Роджера Экройда
The Paragraph in the Paper
They’resoconceitedthattheyneverbelieveyoumeanitifit’sunflattering."Ursulawentonnervouslytwistinganduntwistingherhands.
"Whenthemurderwasdiscoveredandhedidn’tcomeforward,Iwasterriblyupset.JustforamomentIwondered–butthenIknewhecouldn’t–hecouldn’t…ButIwishedhewouldcomeforwardandsayopenlythathe’dhadnothingtodowithit.IknewthathewasfondofDrSheppard,andIfanciedthatperhapsDrSheppardmightknowwherehewashiding."Sheturnedtome.
"That’swhyIsaidwhatIdidtoyouthatday.Ithought,ifyouknewwherehewas,youmightpassonthemessagetohim.""I?"Iexclaimed.
"WhyshouldJamesknowwherehewas?"demandedCarolinesharply.
"Itwasveryunlikely,Iknow,"admittedUrsula,"butRalphhadoftenspokenofDrSheppard,andIknewthathewouldbelikelytoconsiderhimashisbestfriendinKing’sAbbot.""Mydearchild,"Isaid,"IhavenottheleastideawhereRalphPatonisatthepresentmoment.""Thatistrueenough,"saidPoirot.
"But-"Ursulaheldoutthenewspapercuttinginapuzzledfashion.
"Ah!that,"saidPoirot,slightlyembarrassed;"abagatelle,mademoiselle.Ariendutout.NotforamomentdoIbelievethatRalphPatonhasbeenarrested.""Butthen-"beganthegirlslowly.
Poirotwentonquickly:"ThereisonethingIshouldliketoknow–didCaptainPatonwearshoesorbootsthatnight?"Ursulashookherhead
