Убийство Роджера Экройда
Dinner at Fernly
"Ontheinside.Mr.Ackroydmusthavelockedhimselfinandpossiblyjustdroppedofftosleep."IbentdownandverifiedParker’sstatement.
"Itseemsallright,"Isaid,"but,allthesame,Parker,I’mgoingtowakeyourmasterup.Ishouldn’tbesatisfiedtogohomewithouthearingfromhisownlipsthathe’squiteallright."Sosaying,Irattledthehandleandcalledout,"Ackroyd,Ackroyd,justaminute."Butstilltherewasnoanswer.Iglancedovermyshoulder.
"Idon’twanttoalarmthehousehold,"Isaidhesitatingly.
Parkerwentacrossandshutthedoorfromthebighallthroughwhichwehadcome.
"Ithinkthatwillbeallrightnow,sir.Thebilliardroomisattheothersideofthehouse,andsoarethekitchenquartersandtheladies"bedrooms."Inoddedcomprehendingly.ThenIbangedoncemorefranticallyonthedoor,andstoopingdown,fairlybawledthroughthekeyhole:"Ackroyd,Ackroyd!It’sSheppard.Letmein."Andstill–silence.Notasignoflifefromwithinthelockedroom.ParkerandIglancedateachother.
"Lookhere,Parker,"Isaid,"I’mgoingtobreakthisdoorin–orrather,weare.I’lltaketheresponsibility.""Ifyousayso,sir,"saidParker,ratherdoubtfully.
"Idosayso.I’mseriouslyalarmedaboutMr.Ackroyd.""Ilookedroundthesmalllobbyandpickedupaheavyoakchair.ParkerandIhelditbetweenusandadvancedtotheassault.Once,twice,andthreetimeswehurleditagainstthelock.
