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

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‘Are you a man of good observation, doctor Sheppard?’ he asked at last.

‘I think so,’ I said, surprised.

‘There was a fire in the grate, I see. When you broke the door down and found Mr Ackroyd dead, how was the fire? Was it low?’

I gave a vexed laugh.

‘I–I really can’t say. I didn’t notice. Perhaps Mr Raymond or Major Blunt-’

The little man opposite me shook his head with a faint smile.

‘One must always proceed with method. I made an error of judgment in asking you that question. To each man his own knowledge. you could tell me the details of the patient’s appearance – nothing there would escape you. If I wanted information about the papers on that desk, Mr Raymond would have noticed anything there was to see. To find out about the fire, I must ask the man whose business it is to observe such things. you permit-’

He moved swiftly to the fireplace and rang the bell.

After a lapse of a minute or two Parker appeared.

‘The bell rang, sir,’ he said hesitatingly.

‘Come in, Parker,’ said colonel Melrose. ‘This gentleman wants to ask you something.’