The Murder of Roger Ackroyd / Убийство Роджера Экройда

Ralph Paton was of those born to charm easily and without effort. He was selfindulgent and extravagant, with no veneration for anything on earth, but he was lovable nevertheless, and his friends were all devoted to him.

Could I do anything with the boy? I thought I could.

On inquiry at the Three Boars I found that captain Paton had just come in. I went up to his room and entered unannounced.

For a moment, remembering what I had heard and seen, I was doubtful of my reception, but I need have had no misgivings.

‘Why, it’s Sheppard! Glad to see you.’ He came forward to meet me, hand outstretched, a sunny smile lighting up his face. ‘The one person I am glad to see in this infernal place.’

I raised my eyebrows. ‘What’s the place been doing?’

He gave a vexed laugh. ‘It’s a long story. Things haven’t been going well with me, doctor. But have a drink, won’t you?’

‘Thanks,’ I said, ‘I will.’

He pressed the bell, then coming back threw himself into a chair.

‘Not to mince matters,’ he said gloomily, ‘I’m in the devil of a mess. In fact, I haven’t the least idea what to do next.’

‘What’s the matter?’ I asked sympathetically.

‘It’s my confounded stepfather.’

‘What has he done?’

‘It isn’t what he’s done yet, but what he’s likely to do.’

The bell was answered, and Ralph ordered the drinks. When the man had gone again, he sat hunched in the armchair, frowning to himself.

‘Is it really – serious?’ I asked.

He nodded.

‘I’m fairly up against it this time,’ he said soberly.

The unusual ring of gravity in his voice told me that he spoke the truth. It took a good deal to make Ralph grave.

‘In fact,’ he continued, ‘I can’t see my way ahead… I’m damned if I can.’

‘If I could help – ’ I suggested diffidently.

But he shook his head very decidedly.

‘Good of you, doctor. But I can’t let you in on this. I’ve got to play a lone hand.’ he was silent a minute and then repeated in a slightly different tone of voice: ‘Yes – I’ve got to play a lone hand…’

Chapter 4

Dinner at Fernly

It was just a few minutes before half-past seven when I rang the front-door bell of fernly Park.

The night was such a fine one that I had preferred to come on foot. I stepped into the big square hall and Parker relieved me of my overcoat.