Убийство Роджера Экройда

           ""Whathashedone?""Itisn’twhathe’sdoneyet,butwhathe’slikelytodo."Thebellwasanswered,andRalphorderedthedrinks.

           Whenthemanhadgoneagain,hesathunchedinthearmchair,frowningtohimself.

           "Isitreally–serious?"Iasked.

           Henodded.

           "I’mfairlyupagainstitthistime,"hesaidsoberly.

           Theunusualringofgravityinhisvoicetoldmethathespokethetruth.IttookagooddealtomakeRalphgrave.

           "Infact,"hecontinued,"Ican’tseemywayahead…I’mdamnedifIcan.""IfIcouldhelp-"Isuggesteddiffidently.

           Butheshookhisheadverydecidedly.

           "Goodofyou,doctor.ButIcan’tletyouinonthis.I’vegottoplayalonehand."Hewassilentaminuteandthenrepeatedinaslightlydifferenttoneofvoice:"Yes–I’vegottoplayalonehand…’