Убийство Роджера Экройда
Dinner at Fernly
""Doyoumeantosayit’sallahoax?Thatthere’snothingthematterwithMr.Ackroyd?""Excuseme,sir,didthepersontelephoningusemyname?""I’llgiveyoutheexactwordsIheard."IsthatDrSheppard?Parker,thebutleratFernly,speaking.Willyoupleasecomeatonce,sir.Mr.Ackroydhasbeenmurdered.""ParkerandIstaredateachotherblankly.
"Averywickedjoketoplay,sir,"hesaidatlast,inashockedtone."Fancysayingathinglikethat.""WhereisMr.Ackroyd?"Iaskedsuddenly.
"Stillinthestudy,Ifancy,sir.Theladieshavegonetobed,andMajorBluntandMr.Raymondareinthebilliardroom.""IthinkI’lljustlookinandseehimforaminute,"Isaid.
"Iknowhedidn’twanttobedisturbedagain,butthisoddpracticaljokehasmademeuneasy.I’djustliketosatisfymyselfthathe’sallright.""Quiteso,sir.Itmakesmefeelquiteuneasymyself.Ifyoudon’tobjecttomyaccompanyingyouasfarasthedoor,sir-?""Notatall,"Isaid."Comealong."Ipassedthroughthedoorontheright,Parkeronmyheels,traversedthelittlelobbywhereasmallflightofstairsledupstairstoAckroyd’sbedroom,andtappedonthestudydoor.
Therewasnoanswer.Iturnedthehandle,butthedoorwaslocked.
"Allowme,sir,"saidParker.
Verynimbly,foramanofhisbuild,hedroppedononekneeandappliedhiseyetothekeyhole.
"Keyisinthelockallright,sir,"hesaid,rising.
