Убийство Роджера Экройда
Dinner at Fernly
Ackroyddidn’twanttobedisturbed,hadn’tyou?"Parkerbegantostammer.Hishandsshook.
"Yes,sir.Yes,sir.Quiteso,sir.""Andyetyouwereproposingtodoso?""I’dforgotten,sir.AtleastImean,Ialwaysbringthewhiskyandsodaaboutthattime,sir,andaskifthere’sanythingmore,andIthought–well,Iwasdoingasusualwithoutthinking."ItwasatthismomentthatitbegantodawnuponmethatParkerwasmostsuspiciouslyflustered.Themanwasshakingandtwitchingallover.
"H’m,"saidtheinspector."ImustseeMissAckroydatonce.
Forthemomentwe’llleavethisroomexactlyasitis.IcanreturnhereafterI’veheardwhatMissAckroydhastotellme.Ishalljusttaketheprecautionofshuttingandboltingthewindow."Thisprecautionaccomplished,heledthewayintothehallandwefollowedhim.Hepausedamoment,asheglancedupatthelittlestaircase,thenspokeoverhisshouldertotheconstable.
"Jones,you’dbetterstayhere.Don’tletanyonegointothatroom."Parkerinterposeddeferentially.
"Ifyou’llexcuseme,sir.Ifyouweretolockthedoorintothemainhall,nobodycouldgainaccesstothispart.ThatstaircaseleadsonlytoMr.Ackroyd’sbedroomandbathroom.Thereisnocommunicationwiththeotherpartofthehouse.Thereoncewasadoorthrough,butMr.Ackroydhaditblockedup.Helikedtofeelthathissuitewasentirelyprivate.
