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

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But still there was no answer.

I glanced over my shoulder. ‘I don’t want to alarm the household,’ I said hesitatingly.

Parker went across and shut the door from the big hall through which we had come.

‘I think that will be all right now, sir. The billiard room is at the other side of the house, and so are the kitchen quarters and the ladies’ bedrooms.’

I nodded comprehendingly. Then I banged once more frantically on the door, and stooping down, fairly bawled through the keyhole:

‘Ackroyd, Ackroyd! It’s Sheppard. Let me in.’

And still – silence. Not a sign of life from within the locked room. Parker and I glanced at each other.

‘Look here, Parker,’ I said, ‘I’m going to break this door in – or rather, we are. I’ll take the responsibility.’

‘If you say so, sir,’ said Parker, rather doubtfully.

‘I do say so. I’m seriously alarmed about Mr Ackroyd.’

I looked round the small lobby and picked up a heavy oak chair. Parker and I held it between us and advanced to the assault. once, twice, and three times we hurled it against the lock. At the third blow it gave, and we staggered into the room.