Читать книгу The Murder of Roger Ackroyd / Убийство Роджера Экройда онлайн

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‘Want me to sit in the chair whilst you take a blood test?’ asked Raymond good-humouredly. ‘What’s the idea?’

‘M. raymond, this chair was pulled out – so – last night when Mr Ackroyd was found killed. Someone moved it back again into place. Did you do so?’

The secretary’s reply came without a second’s hesitation. ‘No, indeed I didn’t. I don’t even remember that it was in that position, but it must have been if you say so. Anyway, somebody else must have moved it back to its proper place. Have they destroyed a clue in doing so? Too bad!’

‘It is of no consequence,’ said the detective. ‘of no consequence whatever. What I really want to ask you is this, M. raymond: did any stranger come to see Mr Ackroyd during this past week?’

The secretary reflected for a minute or two, knitting his brows, and during the pause Parker appeared in answer to the bell.

‘No,’ said Raymond at last. ‘I can’t remember anyone. Can you, Parker?’

‘I beg your pardon, sir?’

‘Any stranger coming to see Mr Ackroyd this week?’