Убийство Роджера Экройда
Inspector Raglan is Confident
"Thatdisposesprettyeffectuallyofthehousehold,"continuedtheinspector."Nowwecometoaverygravepoint.
Thewomanatthelodge–MaryBlack–waspullingthecurtainslastnightwhenshesawRalphPatonturninatthegateandgouptowardsthehouse.""Sheissureofthat?"Iaskedsharply.
"Quitesure.Sheknowshimwellbysight.Hewentpastveryquicklyandturnedoffbythepathtotheright,whichisashortcuttotheterrace.""Andwhattimewasthat?"askedPoirot,whohadsatwithanimmovableface.
"Exactlytwenty-fiveminutespastnine,"saidtheinspectorgravely.
Therewasasilence.Thentheinspectorspokeagain.
"It’sallclearenough.Itfitsinwithoutaflaw.Attwenty-fiveminutespastnine.CaptainPatonisseenpassingthelodge;atnine-thirtyorthereabouts,Mr.GeoffreyRaymondhearssomeoneinhereaskingformoneyandMr.Ackroydrefusing.Whathappensnext?CaptainPatonleavesthesameway–throughthewindow.Hewalksalongtheterrace,angryandbaffled.Hecomestotheopendrawing-roomwindow.Sayit’snowaquartertoten.MissFloraAckroydissayinggoodnighttoheruncle.MajorBlunt,Mr.Raymond,andMrs.Ackroydareinthebilliardroom.Thedrawing-roomisempty.Hestealsin,takesthedaggerfromthesilvertable,andreturnstothestudywindow.Heslipsoffhisshoes,climbsin,and–well,Idon’tneedtogointodetails.Thenheslipsoutagainandgoesoff.
