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

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‘The master? Murdered? Impossible, sir!’

It was my turn to stare.

‘Didn’t you telephone to me, not five minutes ago, and tell me that Mr Ackroyd had been found murdered?’

‘Me, sir? Oh! No indeed, sir. I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing.’

‘Do you mean to say it’s all a hoax? That there’s nothing the matter with Mr Ackroyd?’

‘Excuse me, sir, did the person telephoning use my name?’

‘I’ll give you the exact words I heard. “Is that Dr Sheppard? Parker, the butler at Fernly, speaking. Will you please come at once, sir. Mr Ackroyd has been murdered.”

Parker and I stared at each other blankly.

‘A very wicked joke to play, sir,’ he said at last, in a shocked tone. ‘Fancy saying a thing like that.’

‘Where is Mr Ackroyd?’ I asked suddenly.

‘Still in the study, I fancy, sir. The ladies have gone to bed, and Major Blunt and Mr Raymond are in the billiard room.’

‘I think I’ll just look in and see him for a minute,’ I said. ‘I know he didn’t want to be disturbed again, but this odd practical joke has made me uneasy. I’d just like to satisfy myself that he’s all right.’