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

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‘They might make a mistake,’ said Flora. ‘They are on their way to make a mistake now, I think. Please, M. Poirot, won’t you help us? If – if it is a question of money-’

Poirot held up his hand.

‘Not that, I beg of you, mademoiselle. Not that I do not care for money.’ his eyes showed a momentary twinkle. ‘Money, it means much to me and always has done. No, if I go into this, you must understand one thing clearly. I shall go through with it to the end. The good dog, he does not leave the scent, remember! you may wish that, after all, you had left it to the local police.’

‘I want the truth,’ said flora, looking him straight in the eyes.

‘All the truth?’

‘All the truth.’

‘Then I accept,’ said the little man quietly. ‘And I hope you will not regret those words. Now, tell me all the circumstances.’

‘Dr Sheppard had better tell you,’ said Flora. ‘he knows more than I do.’

Thus enjoined, I plunged into a careful narrative, em- bodying all the facts I have previously set down. Poirot listened carefully, inserting a question here and there, but for the most part sitting in silence, his eyes on the ceiling.