Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Hadn’tthenervetogobacktotheinn.Hemakesforthestation,ringsupfromthere""Why?"saidPoirotsoftly.

           Ijumpedattheinterruption.Thelittlemanwasleaningforward.Hiseyesshonewithaqueergreenlight.

           ForamomentInspectorRaglanwastakenabackbythequestion.

           "It’sdifficulttosayexactlywhyhedidthat,"hesaidatlast."Butmurderersdofunnythings.You’dknowthatifyouwereinthepoliceforce.Thecleverestofthemmakestupidmistakessometimes.ButcomealongandI’llshowyouthosefootprints."Wefollowedhimroundthecorneroftheterracetothestudywindow.AtawordfromRaglanapoliceconstableproducedtheshoeswhichhadbeenobtainedfromthelocalinn.

           Theinspectorlaidthemoverthemarks.

           "They’rethesame,"hesaidconfidently."Thatistosay,they’renotthesamepairthatactuallymadetheseprints.Hewentawayinthose.Thisisapairjustlikethem,butolderseehowthestudsareworndown?""Surelyagreatmanypeoplewearshoeswithrubberstudsinthem?"askedPoirot.

           "That’sso,ofcourse,"saidtheinspector."Ishouldn’tputsomuchstressonthefootmarksifitwasn’tforeverythingelse.""Averyfoolishyoungman.CaptainRalphPaton,"saidPoirotthoughtfully."Toleavesomuchevidenceofhispresence.""Ah!well,"saidtheinspector,"itwasadry,finenight,youknow.Heleftnoprintsontheterraceoronthegravelledpath.