Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-05
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
By AGATHA CHRISTIE.
Copyright by Dodd. Mead q Co.

can take what steps you please. Moth.
ing could be worse than IL IL nowr'
Suddenly she broke down again,
hid her face in her hands and rushed
from the room.
Well" said the inspector in a fiat
tone. so that's that"
He seemed at rather a loss what to
do next
Blunt came forward.
Inspector Raglan" he said quietly,
that money was given to me by Mr..
Aclroyd for a special purpose. Miss
Ackreyd never touched it. When she
says she did, she IL lying with the
idea Of shielding Capt. Patton. The
truth Is as ] said and I am prepared
to go into the witness box and swear
to IT,"
He made a kind Of jerky bow. then
turning abruptly, he left the room.
Poirot was after him in a fash. He
caught the other UP in the hall.
Monsieur--a moment, beg Of you.
II you will be 50 good"
Well, sir?"
Blunt was obviously impatient. He
stood frowning down on Poirot
1T 10 this" said Poirot rapidly; "I
am not deceived by your little fantasy.
No, indeed. 1t was truly Miss Flora
who took the money. AL the same IL
is well imagined what you say-it
pleases me. 1t Is very good what you
have done there. You are a man
quick to think and TO act
I'm not in the least anxious for
your opinion. thank YOU" said Blunt
coldly.
He made once more as though to
all
laid OBTAINING hand on his arm.
"Ah! but you are to listen to me.
have more to say. The other day I
spoke OF concealments. Very well,
all along have l seen what you are
concealing. Madernoiselle Flora, YOU
love her with all your heart. From
the first moment you saw her, IL IL
not so? Oh. let US not mind saying
these things-why must one in Eng.
land think 1t necessary to mention
love as though it were some disgrace
ful secret? You love Madenoiselle
Flora. You seek to conceal that fact
from all the world. That is very good
that is as ii should be- But take the
advice Of Hercule Poirot-do not con.
ceal it from mademoiselle herself"
Blunt had shown several signs Of
restlessness while Poirot was sneak
Ing, but the closing words seemed to
rivet his attention.
What dyou mean by that" he
said sharply.
You think that she loves the capi.
taine Ralph Paton-but I, Hercule
Potrot. tell you that that Is not 40.
Mademoiselle Flora accepted Capt
Patton to please her uncle and because
escape from her life here which was
becoming frankly insupportabls ia
her. She liked him. and there was
much sympathr and understanding
between them. But love--no, II n
not Capt. Patton Mademoiselle Flora
loves" -Oie
asked Blunt.
! saw the dark flush under his tan
You have been blind, monsieur.
SIND She is loyal, the little one.
Shalpn Paton is under a cloud; she IL
oouno IN nonor to stick by him.
1elt II was time I put in a word
to help on the good work.
MY sister told me the othsr pi1h, q
l SAID encouragingly. that Flora had
never cared a penny piece for Ralph
ration and never would. NV sister is
Always right about these things"
stunt ignored my well meant 81.
forts He spoke to Potrot.
Dyou really think" he began
and stopped so"'
he Is one Of those inarttcuiatA man
VINO find it hard to put things into
Poirot knows no such disability
II you doubt me, ask her yoIrsa,r
monsieur. But perhaps Won M icnSs,
care to--the affair of the money
Stunt gave sound like an anrrv
Think I'd hold that against harp
Roger was always a queer chan sho,,t
money. She got In a mess and didr't
dare tell him. Poor kid. Poor 1onaix
kid oor lonely
.,d poirot looked thoughtfully at the
Mademoiselle Flora went into +,a
SarGen' think he murnured.
I've been every kind Of e fo,,n
said Blunt abruptly. Rum corvov.
.ion we We been having. Like one or
nose Danish plays. But vo,1;re
sound fellow, NJ. Poirot. ThsnE yo,, ::
He took Poirot's hand and ave IL
a grip which caused the ot6er ~
Mince In anguish. Then he strobe ~
me side door and passed out into the
Not every kind Of fool" n,urnur.d
po1rot, tenderly nursing tha ini,,reS
member. Only one kind-the fool IN