Убийство Роджера Экройда
I Learn My Neighbour’s Profession
Youpermit"Hemovedswiftlytothefireplaceandrangthebell.
AfteralapseofaminuteortwoParkerappeared.
"Thebellrang,sir,"hesaidhesitatingly.
"Comein,Parker,"saidColonelMelrose."Thisgentlemanwantstoaskyousomething."ParkertransferredarespectfulattentiontoPoirot.
"Parker,"saidthelittleman,"whenyoubrokedownthedoorwithDrSheppardlastnight,andfoundyourmasterdead,whatwasthestateofthefire?"Parkerrepliedwithoutapause.
"Ithadburnedverylow,sir."Itwasalmostout.""Ah!"saidPoirot.Theexclamationsoundedalmosttriumphant.Hewenton:"Lookroundyou,mygoodParker.Isthisroomexactlyasitwasthen?"Thebutler’seyesweptround.Itcametorestonthewindows.
"Thecurtainsweredrawn,sir,andtheelectriclightwason."Poirotnoddedapproval.
"Anythingelse?""Yes,sir,thischairwasdrawnoutalittlemore."Heindicatedabiggrandfatherchairtotheleftofthedoorbetweenitandthewindow.IappendaplanoftheroomwiththechairinquestionmarkedwithanX.
"Justshowme,"saidPoirot.
Thebutlerdrewthechairinquestionoutagoodtwofeetfromthewall,turningitsothattheseatfacedthedoor.
"Voilacequiestcurieux,"murmuredPoirot."Noonewouldwanttositinachairinsuchaposition,Ifancy.
