Roger Mystery

Chapter 11 Murder (2)
"What's the matter, doctor?"

"I ran into a man tonight—just as I was turning out the gates of the estate. He asked me how to get to Finlay Hall."

"What time was it?"

"Nine o'clock sharp. I happened to hear the church clock strike nine just as I was going out the gate."

"Can you describe what he looks like?"

I have tried my best to recount the situation.

The Inspector turned to the butler. "Has anyone ever received anyone who fits those descriptions?"

"No, sir. No strangers to visit tonight."

"What about the back door?"

"I don't think so, sir, but I can ask again."

He was walking towards the door when he was stopped by the inspector.

"No thanks. I'll look it up myself. But first I'd like to get the time a little more precise. When was Ackroyd last seen alive?"

"I guess I was the last person to see him," I replied. "I left at—I think—about eight-fifty. He said he didn't want to be disturbed, so I told Parker exactly .”

"Indeed, sir," said Parker respectfully.

"Mr Ackroyd must have been alive at 09:30," put in Raymond, "because I heard him talking in this room."

"Who was he talking to?"

"That's not clear. I thought it was Dr. Sheppard with him. I was about to ask his advice on a problem with a file, but I remembered when I heard the voice, He said before that he would have a secret meeting with Dr. Sheppard, and no one should disturb him. But now it seems that the doctor has already left by then."

I nodded.

"I got home at [-]:[-]," I said, "and didn't leave the house until I got that call."

"Who the hell was with him at 09:30?" The inspector asked, "It shouldn't be you, this is—"

"Major Brant." I quickly introduced.

"Major Hector Brant?" The Inspector's tone was suddenly tinged with awe.

Brandt just nodded slightly to show his affirmation.

"I think we've met somewhere before, sir," said the Inspector. "I didn't recognize you at the time, but you were with Mr. Ackroyd. It seemed like a year ago, last May."

"June," Brant corrected.

"Yes, it's June. So, without further ado, you're not the one with Mr Ackroyd tonight at 09:30?"

Brant shook his head.

"I haven't seen him since dinner." He offered to add.

The inspector turned to Raymond again.

"Did you hear what they were talking about?"

"Heard a few words here and there," replied the secretary, "and, since I thought it was Dr. Shepherd who was talking to Mr. Ackroyd, I thought they sounded strange, but I remember the details very well. Ike Mr. Lloyd said: 'You've been asking for money a lot lately,' and that's exactly what he said, 'so it's impossible for me to keep doing what you're asking for...' Then I left right away, so I didn't hear anything more. But I really don't know why, because Dr. Shepherd—"

"—didn't borrow money from Aykroyd, or for anyone else." I added what he had left.

"For money," mused the Inspector. "Perhaps this is a very important clue." Turning to the butler, he said, "Parker, you didn't let anyone in through the front door tonight?"

"Indeed, sir."

"Then it is almost certain that Mr Ackroyd himself let the stranger in. But I don't understand—"

The inspector stared blankly for a moment.

"What can be confirmed at present is that," he recovered from the meditation state, "Mr. Ackroyd was still alive at 09:30, and that was the last time someone could prove that he was still alive."

Parker coughed apologetically, and the inspector immediately turned his attention to him.

"What are you trying to say?" he asked sharply.

"With all due respect, sir, Miss Flora met him afterwards."

"Miss Flora?"

"Yes, sir. Around nine forty-five. Then she told me not to bother Mr. Ackroyd tonight."

"Did Mr. Ackroyd send her the message to you?"

"Not exactly, sir. Miss Flora came out of this study just as I came in with a tray of soda and whiskey, and she stopped me, saying it was her uncle who didn't want to be disturbed."

As a result, the Inspector's attention to the butler increased significantly.

"Didn't someone warn you a long time ago that Mr. Ackroyd doesn't want to be disturbed?"

Parker was tongue-tied and his hands trembled.

"Yes, sir. Yes, yes, sir. Exactly, sir."

"But you didn't obey the order?"

"I forgot, sir. Actually, what I meant, sir, is that I usually deliver whiskey and soda to the study at that hour, and then ask the master what else he wants. And I thought- well, I didn't think about it." Just do it as usual.”

At this time, I realized that Parker's flustered appearance was extremely suspicious.The guy was trembling all over, shaking all over.

"Well," said the Inspector, "I must see Miss Ackroyd at once. The contents of this room shall remain as they are for the time being, and I shall return after hearing Miss Ackroyd's testimony. As a precaution, the windows Close the latch."

Having taken this insurance measure, he led the way into the hall, with us all following behind.He stopped for a while, glanced at the small stairs, turned his head and told the accompanying police officers: "Jones, you'd better stay here and don't allow anyone to enter the study."

Parker interrupted respectfully: "Sorry, sir, no one will be able to enter this half of the house as long as you lock the door leading to the hall. The stairs only lead to Mr. Ackroyd's bedroom and bathroom." ; there is no access to the rest of the house. There is a connecting door, but Mr Ackroyd has sealed it up. He wants to make sure that these rooms are completely private."

In order to explain the case more clearly, I specially drew a sketch of the right side of the house (see Figure [-]).Parker had already described that the little staircase led to a large bedroom, which was joined by two bedrooms, with its bathroom and toilet.

The inspector stepped forward and took a look.Then we all went into the hall, and he locked the door, put the key in his pocket, and whispered a few words to the policeman, and the policeman left.

"The shoe-prints must be traced in detail at once," explained the Inspector, "but first I shall speak to Miss Ackroyd. She was the last person to see her uncle alive. Does she know what is wrong?"

Raymond shook his head.

"Well, don't tell her within 5 minutes. If she knows that her uncle was killed, her emotions will be greatly affected, and she will not be able to answer well. Just tell her that there is a thief at home, and ask her if it is convenient for her to get dressed. Answer a few questions."

Raymond was ordered upstairs.

"Miss Ackroyd will be here in a moment," he said when he returned, "and I have followed your instructions."

In less than five minutes, Flora came down the stairs.She was wrapped in a pale pink kimono-style silk pajamas and looked anxious.

The inspector stepped forward.

"Good evening, Miss Aykroyd," he said politely, "We suspect that someone is trying to steal, and we would like to ask you to assist in the investigation. This room is... a billiards room? Come in and have a seat."

Flora sat down calmly on the sofa that was as wide as the whole wall, and looked up at the Inspector.

"I'm confused. What was stolen? What do you want me to say?"

"Well, Miss Ackroyd, Parker said you came out of your uncle's study at nine forty-five. Is that so?"

"Yes, I'm going to say goodnight to him."

"Is the time correct too?"

"Well, it should be about the same. I can't say for sure. It may be a few minutes later."

"Was your uncle alone at the time, or were there other people?"

"He's all alone. Dr. Shepard is gone."

"Did you happen to notice whether the window was open or closed?"

Flora shook her head. "I can't tell, the curtains are drawn."

"Exactly. Does your uncle look the same then?"

"I think so."

"Can you recount the conversation between you exactly?"

Flora paused for a moment, as if trying to remember.

"I went in and said, 'Good night, Uncle, I'm going to sleep, I'm tired tonight.' He muttered under his breath, and then...I went up and kissed him, and he said I was beautiful in that dress, and then Said he was busy and told me to go out quickly. So I left."

"Did he specifically tell people not to disturb me again?"

"Oh! Yes, I forgot. He said, 'Tell Parker I don't need anything else tonight, and don't let him bother me any more.' I happened to meet Parker just outside the door, and I delivered my uncle's message to him. .”

"That's right," said the inspector.

"Can you tell me what's missing?"

"We don't—we don't quite know yet," said the inspector evasively.

A look of surprise floated in Flora's eyes, and she stood up suddenly.

"What's going on? Are you hiding something from me?"

Hector Brandt was as calm as ever.He came between Flora and the Inspector, took her outstretched hand in both, and clapped it like a child's reassurance; she turned to Brant, as if taking solace in his quiet resolute demeanor. and a sense of security.

"Unfortunate news, Flora," he said quietly, "for all of us. Your Uncle Roger—"

"Ok?"

"A hard blow to you, sure. Poor Roger's dead."

Flora withdrew her hand, her eyes filled with fear.

"When?" she asked in a low voice. "When?"

"Not long after you left him, I'm afraid." Brant replied very seriously.

Flora covered her throat with one hand, and let out a low cry of surprise.Seeing that she was about to fall, I hurried forward to help her.But she had passed out, and Brant and I had to help her upstairs and put her on the bed.Then I sent Brant to wake Mrs Ackroyd and give her the news.Flora soon regained consciousness, and I called her mother, gave her instructions on how to take care of the girl, and hurried downstairs.

(End of this chapter)