Убийство Роджера Экройда
I Learn My Neighbour’s Profession
WefoundInspectorDavisoutsidethepolicestationlookingveryglumindeed.
WithhimwasColonelMelrose,theChiefConstable,andanothermanwhom,fromFlora’sdescriptionof"weaselly,"IhadnodifficultyinrecognizingasInspectorRaglanfromCranchester.
IknowMelrosefairlywell,andIintroducedPoirottohimandexplainedthesituation.Thechiefconstablewasclearlyvexed,andInspectorRaglanlookedasblackasthunder.Davis,however,seemedslightlyexhilaratedbythesightofhissuperiorofficer’sannoyance.
"Thecaseisgoingtobeplainasapikestaff,"saidRaglan.
"Nottheleastneedforamateurstocomebuttingin.You’dthinkanyfoolwouldhaveseenthewaythingswerelastnight,andthenweshouldn’thavelosttwelvehours."HedirectedavengefulglanceatpoorDavis,whoreceiveditwithperfectstolidity.
"Mr.Ackroyd’sfamilymust,ofcourse,dowhattheyseefit,"saidColonelMelrose."Butwecannothavetheofficialinvestigationhamperedinanyway.IknowM.Poirot’sgreatreputation,ofcourse,"headdedcourteously.
"Thepolicecan’tadvertisethemselves,worseluck,"saidRaglan.
ItwasPoirotwhosavedthesituation.
"ItistruethatIhaveretiredfromtheworld,"hesaid."Ineverintendedtotakeupacaseagain.Aboveallthings,Ihaveahorrorofpublicity.
