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

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‘Oh!’ I said suddenly.

‘What is it, doctor?’

‘I met a man this evening – just as I was turning out of the gate. he asked me the way to Fernly Park.’

‘What time would that be?’

‘Just nine o’clock. I heard it chime the hour as I was turning out of the gate.’

‘Can you describe him?’

I did so to the best of my ability.

The inspector turned to the butler.

‘Anyone answering that description come to the front door?’

‘No, sir. No one has been to the house at all this evening.’

‘What about the back?’

‘I don’t think so, sir, but I’ll make inquiries.’

He moved towards the door, but the inspector held up a large hand.

‘No, thanks. I’ll do my own inquiring. But first of all I want to fix the times a little more clearly. When was Mr Ackroyd last seen alive?’

‘Probably by me,’ I said, ‘when I left at – let me see- about ten minutes to nine. he told me that he didn’t wish to be disturbed, and I repeated the order to Parker.’

‘Just so, sir,’ said Parker respectfully.

‘Mr Ackroyd was certainly alive at half-past nine,’ put in Raymond, ‘for I heard his voice in here talking.’