Убийство Роджера Экройда
Dinner at Fernly
Heisfundamentallyagoodcitizen.Allthatwassoundandwholesomeandlaw-abidinginhimmusthaveturnedfromherutterlyinthatmomentofrevelation.
"Yes,"hewenton,inalow,monotonousvoice,"sheconfessedeverything.Itseemsthatthereisonepersonwhohasknownallalong–whohasbeenblackmailingherforhugesums.Itwasthestrainofthatthatdrovehernearlymad.""Whowastheman?"SuddenlybeforemyeyestherearosethepictureofRalphPatonandMrs.Ferrarssidebyside.Theirheadssoclosetogether.Ifeltamomentarythrobofanxiety.Supposingoh!butsurelythatwasimpossible.IrememberedthefranknessofRalph’sgreetingthatveryafternoon.Absurd!
"Shewouldn’ttellmehisname,"saidAckroydslowly."Asamatteroffact,shedidn’tactuallysaythatitwasaman.
Butofcourse""Ofcourse,"Iagreed."Itmusthavebeenaman.Andyou’venosuspicionatall?"ForanswerAckroydgroanedanddroppedhisheadintohishands.
"Itcan’tbe,"hesaid."I’mmadeventothinkofsuchathing.No,Iwon’tevenadmittoyouthewildsuspicionthatcrossedmymind.I’lltellyouthismuch,though.Somethingshesaidmademethinkthatthepersoninquestionmightbeactuallyamongmyhousehold–butthatcan’tbeso.Imusthavemisunderstoodher.""Whatdidyousaytoher?"Iasked.
"WhatcouldIsay?Shesaw,ofcourse,theawfulshockithadbeentome.
