Убийство Роджера Экройда
Dinner at Fernly
"Tomakethingsclearandexplaintheposition,Ihaveappendedaroughsketchoftheright-handwingofthehouse.
Thesmallstaircaseleads,asParkerexplained,toabigbedroommadebytwobeingknockedintoone,andanadjoiningbathroomandlavatory.
Theinspectortookinthepositionataglance.Wewentthroughintothelargehallandhelockedthedoorbehindhim,slippingthekeyintohispocket.Thenhegavetheconstablesomelow-voicedinstructions,andthelatterpreparedtodepart.
"Wemustgetbusyonthoseshoetracks,"explainedtheinspector."Butfirstofall,ImusthaveawordwithMissAckroyd.Shewasthelastpersontoseeherunclealive.
Doessheknowyet?"Raymondshookhishead.
"Well,noneedtotellherforanotherfiveminutes.Shecananswermyquestionsbetterwithoutbeingupsetbyknowingthetruthaboutheruncle.Tellherthere’sbeenaburglary,andaskherifshewouldminddressingandcomingdowntoanswerafewquestions."ItwasRaymondwhowentupstairsonthiserrand.
"MissAckroydwillbedowninaminute,"hesaid,whenhereturned."Itoldherjustwhatyousuggested."InlessthanfiveminutesFloradescendedthestaircase.
Shewaswrappedinapalepinksilkkimono.Shelookedanxiousandexcited.
Theinspectorsteppedforward.
"Goodevening.MissAckroyd,"hesaidcivilly.
