Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Assoonasthemurderwasdiscovered,Irealizedthatoncethefactswereknown,suspicioncouldnotfailtoattachtoRalph–or,ifnottohim,tothegirlheloved.ThatnightIputthefactsplainlybeforehim.Thethoughtofhavingpossiblytogiveevidencewhichmightincriminatehiswifemadehimresolveatallcoststo–to"Ihesitated,andRalphfilledupthegap.

           "Todoabunk,"hesaidgraphically."Yousee,Ursulaleftmetogobacktothehouse.Ithoughtitpossiblethatshemighthaveattemptedtohaveanotherinterviewwithmystepfather.Hehadalreadybeenveryrudetoherthatafternoon.Itoccurredtomethathemighthavesoinsultedher–insuchanunforgivablemanner–thatwithoutknowingwhatshewasdoing".Hestopped.Ursulareleasedherhandfromhis,andsteppedback.

           "Youthoughtthat,Ralph!YouactuallythoughtthatImighthavedoneit?""LetusgetbacktotheculpableconductofDrSheppard,"saidPoirotdrily."DrSheppardconsentedtodowhathecouldtohelphim.HewassuccessfulinhidingCaptainPatonfromthepolice.""Where?"askedRaymond."Inhisownhouse?""Ah,no,indeed,"saidPoirot."YoushouldaskyourselfthequestionthatIdid.Ifthegooddoctorisconcealingtheyoungman,whatplacewouldhechoose?Itmustnecessarilybesomewherenearathand.IthinkofCranchester.Ahotel?No.

           Lodgings?Evenmoreemphatically,no.Where,then?Ah!Ihaveit.Anursinghome.Ahomeforthementallyunfit.Itestmytheory.