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

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red?’

‘Chair? No, why should I?’

Poirot shrugged his shoulders but did not answer. He turned to Flora.

‘There is one thing I should like to know from you, mademoiselle. When you were examining the things in the silver table with dr Sheppard, was the dagger in its place, or was it not?’

Flora’s chin shot up.

‘Inspector Raglan has been asking me that,’ she said resentfully. ‘I’ve told him, and I’ll tell you. I’m perfectly certain the dagger was not there. He thinks it was and that ralph sneaked it later in the evening. And – and he doesn’t believe me. He thinks I’m saying it so – to shield Ralph.’

‘And aren’t you?’ I asked gravely.

Flora stamped her foot.

‘You, too, dr Sheppard! oh! it’s too bad.’

Poirot tactfully made a diversion.

‘It is true what I heard you say, Major Blunt. There is something that glitters in this pond. Let us see if I can reach it.’

He knelt down by the pond, baring his arm to the elbow, and lowered it in very slowly, so as not to disturb the bottom of the pond. But in spite of all his precautions the mud eddied and swirled, and he was forced to draw his arm out again empty-handed.