Убийство Роджера Экройда
Dinner at Fernly
"ImetParkerjustoutsidethedoorandgavehimUncle’smessage.""Justso,"saidtheinspector.
"Won’tyoutellmewhatitisthathasbeenstolen?""We’renotquite–certain,"saidtheinspectorhesitatingly.
Awidelookofalarmcameintothegirl’seyes.Shestartedup.
"Whatisit?You’rehidingsomethingfromme?"Movinginhisusualunobtrusivemanner.HectorBluntcamebetweenherandtheinspector.Shehalfstretchedoutherhand,andhetookitinbothofhis,pattingitasthoughshewereaverysmallchild,andsheturnedtohimasthoughsomethinginhisstolid,rocklikedemeanourpromisedcomfortandsafety.
"It’sbadnews,Flora,"hesaidquietly."Badnewsforallofus.YourUncleRoger""Yes?""Itwillbeashocktoyou.Boundtobe.PoorRoger’sdead."Floradrewawayfromhim,hereyesdilatingwithhorror.
"When?"shewhispered."When?""Verysoonafteryoulefthim,I’mafraid,"saidBluntgravely.
Floraraisedherhandtoherthroat,gavealittlecry,andIhurriedtocatchherasshefell.Shehadfainted,andBluntandIcarriedherupstairsandlaidheronherbed.ThenIgothimtowakeMrs.Ackroydandtellherthenews.Florasoonrevived,andIbroughthermothertoher,tellingherwhattodoforthegirl.ThenIhurrieddownstairsagain.
