Убийство Роджера Экройда
The Man Who Grew Vegetable Marrows
Justonsixfeet,perfectlyproportioned,withtheeasygraceofanathlete,hewasdark,likehismother,withahandsome,sunburntfacealwaysreadytobreakintoasmile.RalphPatonwasofthoseborntocharmeasilyandwithouteffort.Hewasself-indulgentandextravagant,withnovenerationforanythingonearth,buthewaslovablenevertheless,andhisfriendswerealldevotedtohim.
CouldIdoanythingwiththeboy?IthoughtIcould.
OninquiryattheThreeBoarsIfoundthatCaptainPatonhadjustcomein.Iwentuptohisroomandenteredunannounced.
Foramoment,rememberingwhatIhadheardandseen,Iwasdoubtfulofmyreception,butIneedhavehadnomisgivings.
"Why,it’sSheppard!Gladtoseeyou."Hecameforwardtomeetme,handoutstretched,asunnysmilelightinguphisface.
"TheonepersonIamgladtoseeinthisinfernalplace."Iraisedmyeyebrows.
"What’stheplacebeendoing?"Hegaveavexedlaugh.
"It’salongstory.Thingshaven’tbeengoingwellwithme,doctor.Buthaveadrink,won’tyou?"Thanks,"Isaid,"Iwill."Hepressedthebell,thencomingbackthrewhimselfintoachair.
"Nottomincematters,"hesaidgloomily,"I’minthedevilofamess.Infact,Ihaven’ttheleastideawhattodonext.""What’sthematter?"Iaskedsympathetically.
"It’smyconfoundedstepfather
