Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Ihadjustreachedthetopwhenthetelephoneranginthehallbelow.

           "Mrs.Bates,"saidCarolineimmediately.

           "I’mafraidso,"Isaidruefully.

           Irandownthestairsandtookupthereceiver.

           "What?"Isaid."When?Certainly,I’llcomeatonce."Iranupstairs,caughtupmybag,andstuffedafewextradressingsintoit.

           Tarkertelephoning,"IshoutedtoCaroline,"fromFernly.They’vejustfoundRogerAckroydmurdered."Igotoutthecarinnexttonotime,anddroverapidlytoFernly.Jumpingout,Ipulledthebellimpatiently.Therewassomedelayinanswering,andIrangagain.

           ThenIheardtherattleofthechainandParker,hisimpassivityofcountenancequiteunmoved,stoodintheopendoorway.

           Ipushedpasthimintothehall.

           "Whereishe?"Idemandedsharply.

           "Ibegyourpardon,sir?""Yourmaster.Mr.Ackroyd.Don’tstandtherestaringatme,man.Haveyounotifiedthepolice?""Thepolice,sir?Didyousaythepolice?"ParkerstaredatmeasthoughIwereaghost.

           "What’sthematterwithyou,Parker?If,asyousay,yourmasterhasbeenmurdered"AgaspbrokefromParker.

           "Themaster?Murdered?Impossible,sir!"Itwasmyturntostare.

           "Didn’tyoutelephonetome,notfiveminutesago,andtellmethatMr.Ackroydhadbeenfoundmurdered?""The,sir?Oh!noindeed,sir.Iwouldn’tdreamofdoingsuchathing.