Dinner at Fernly

           Itwasjustafewminutesbeforehalf-pastsevenwhenIrangthefront-doorbellofFernlyPark.ThedoorwasopenedwithadmirablepromptitudebyParker,thebutler.

           ThenightwassuchafineonethatIhadpreferredtocomeonfoot.IsteppedintothebigsquarehallandParkerrelievedmeofmyovercoat.JustthenAckroyd’ssecretary,apleasantyoungfellowbythenameofRaymond,passedthroughthehallonhiswaytoAckroyd’sstudy,hishandsfullofpapers.

           "Goodevening,doctor.Comingtodine?Oristhisaprofessionalcall?"ThelastwasinallusiontomyblackbagwhichIhadlaiddownontheoakchest.

           IexplainedthatIexpectedasummonstoaconfinementcaseatanymoment,andsohadcomeoutpreparedforanemergencycall.Raymondnodded,andwentonhisway,callingoverhisshoulder:"Gointothedrawing-room.Youknowtheway.Theladieswillbedowninaminute.ImustjusttakethesepaperstoMr.Ackroyd,andI’lltellhimyou’rehere."OnRaymond’sappearanceParkerhadwithdrawn,soIwasaloneinthehall.Isettledmytie,glancedinalargemirrorwhichhungthere,andcrossedtothedoordirectlyfacingme,whichwas,asIknew,thedoorofthedrawingroom.

           Inoticed,justasIwasturningthehandle,asoundfromwithin–theshuttingdownofawindow,Itookittobe.Inoticedit,Imaysay,quitemechanically,withoutattachinganyimportancetoitatthetime.

           Iopenedthedoorandwalkedin.