The Murder of Roger Ackroyd / Убийство Роджера Экройда

It was that impression that was left with me, for at that moment my sister’s voice called me from the house.

I went in. Caroline had her hat on, and had evidently just come in from the village.

She began without preamble. ‘I met Mr Ackroyd.’

‘Yes?’ I said.

‘I stopped him, of course, but he seemed in a great hurry, and anxious to get away.’

I have no doubt but that that was the case. he would feel towards Caroline much as he had felt towards Miss Gannett earlier in the day – perhaps more so.

Caroline is less easy to shake off.

‘I asked him at once about ralph. he was absolutely astonished. had no idea the boy was down here. he actually said he thought I must have made a mistake. I! A mistake!’

‘Ridiculous,’ I said. ‘he ought to have known you better.’

‘Then he went on to tell me that ralph and flora are engaged.’

‘I knew that, too,’ I interrupted, with modest pride.

‘Who told you?’

‘Our new neighbour.’

Caroline visibly wavered for a second or two, much as if a roulette ball might coyly hover between two numbers.

Then she declined the tempting red herring.

‘I told Mr Ackroyd that ralph was staying at the Three Boars.’

‘Caroline,’ I said, ‘do you never reflect that you might do a lot of harm with this habit of yours of repeating everything indiscriminately?’

‘Nonsense,’ said my sister. ‘People ought to know things. I consider it my duty to tell them. Mr Ackroyd was very grateful to me.’

‘Well,’ I said, for there was clearly more to come.

‘I think he went straight off to the Three Boars, but if so he didn’t find ralph there.’

‘No?’

‘No. Because as I was coming back through the wood-’

‘Сoming back through the wood?’ I interrupted.

Сaroline had the grace to blush.

‘It was such a lovely day,’ she exclaimed. ‘I thought I would make a little round. The woods with their autumnal tints are so perfect at this time of year.’

Сaroline does not care a hang for woods at any time of year. Normally she regards them as places where you get your feet damp, and where all kinds of unpleasant things may drop on your head.

No, it was good sound mongoose instinct which took her to our local wood. It is the only place adjacent to the village of king’s Abbot where you can talk with a young woman unseen by the whole of the village. It adjoins the Park of Fernly.

‘Well,’ I said, ‘go on.’

‘As I say, I was just coming back through the wood when I heard voices.