Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-10

I'm afraid So / said ruefully.
/ ran down the stairs and took up
the receiver.
WHAT" I said. What? Certainly,
I'll come at once"
ran upstairs, caught up my bag,
and stuffed few extra dressings into
it.
Parker telephoning," / shouted to
Caroline, from Fernly. They've just
found Roger Ackroyd murdered"
CHAPTER V.
Murder.
got out the car in next to no
time, and drove rapidly to Fernly.
Jumping out, l pulled the bell i'm.
patiently. There was some delay in
answering, and l rang again,
Then l heard the rattle of the chain
and Parker, his impassivity of
countenance quite unmoved, stood in
the open doorway.
] pushed past him into the hall.
Where is he?" demanded, sharply.
II beg your pardon, sir?"
Your master. Mr.. Ackroyd. Don't
stand there staring at me, man.
Have you notified the police?"
police?" Parker stared at me as
though ! were a ghost.
What's the matter with you,
Parker? If, as you say. your master
has been murdered"
A gasp broke from Parker.
THE master? Murdered? Impossi-
BILE, sir!''
1t was my turn to stare.
Didn't you telephone to me, not
FIVE minutes ago. and tell me that
Mr.. Ackroyd had boAn found MUIR
dered?"
me. sir? Oh, no indeed, sir. /
wouldn't dream of doing such a
thing"
do you mean to say it's all
hoax? That there's nothing the mat.
ter with Mr.. Ackroyd?"
Excuse me, sir. did the person
telephoning use my name?"
III give you the exact words /
heard. rs that DIR. Sheppard?
Parker. the butler at Fernly, speak
ing. VIII you please come at once.
sir. Mr.. Ackroyd has been muir.
Parker and stared at each other
blankly.
"A very wicked joke to play, sir"
he said at last, in shocked tone.
Fancy saying a thing like that
Where Is Mr.. Ackroyd?" I asked.
suddenly.
Still in the study, i fancy, sir.
The ladies have gone to bed. and
Maj, Blunt and Mr.. Raymond are
in the billiard room"
Il think I'll just look in and see
him for a minute / said. II know
he didn't want to be disturbed aRain.
but this odd practical joke has made
me uneasy. I'd just like to satisfy
myself that he's all right"
Quite SO, sir. 1t makes me feel
quite uneasy myself. If you don't
object to my accompanying you as
far as the door, sir-?''
Not at ALL" said Come along"
passed through the door on the
right. Parker on my heels, traversed
the little lobby where small flight
OF stairs led upstairs to Ackrovd's
bedroom, and tapped on the study
door.
There was no answer. I turned
the handle, but the door was locked
"Allow me, SIR" said Parker.
very nimbly for man of his
build. he dropped on one knee and
applied his eve to the keyhole.
Key is In the lock all right, SIR"
ne said, rising. ION the inside. Mr..
Ackroyd must have locked himself
" PoSSAOiy just dropped on to
I bent down and verified Parker,s
statement.
1T seems all right I said, but.
all the same, Parker, I'm going to
wake your master UP. shouldn't
be satisfied to go home without hear.
ing from his own lips that he's quite
all right
So saying, I ratified the handle and
n a
a minute" 'NS'
But still there was no answer.
glanced over my shoulder.
don't want to alarm the house.
hold,' | said, hesitatingly.
Parker went across and shut the
door from the big hall through which
We had come. 0i
think that will be all right now
sir: The billiard room is at the other
side or the house, and so are the
kltcnen quarters and the ladies' bed
| nodded comprehendinsly. Than
l banged once more franticaily on The
J door, and, STOPPING down. fairly bawIed
through the keyhole:
"Ackroyd. Ackroyd! It's Sheppard.
| Let me in
And Subsistence. Not a sign Of
| life from within the locked room
Parker and I glanced at each other.
| Look here. Parker" I said, I'm
going to break this door in--or, rather.
we are. I'll take the responsibility. .
| II you aay SO, sir" said Barker,
CONTINUED in Tomorrcw's stsr.S