Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-01
CHAPTER XVII.
Parker

dueed by Tin-ho. or the Perfect Win
ming, / might have been slightly In
discreet. True, Poirot had not asked
me to keep the discovery of the ring
to myself. On the other hand. he had
said nothing about II while at Fernly
and, as far ] knew, l was the only
person aware that il had been found
| felt distinctly guilty. The fact was
| by now spreading through Kings Alb
bot like wildflre. | was expecting
wholesale reproaches from Poirot any
minute.
The joint funeral of Mrs. Ferrars
and Roger Ackroyd was fixed for IL
o'clock. II was a melancholy and i'm
pressive ceremony. All the party from
Fernly were there.
After 1t was over, Poirot. who had
also been present. took me by the
arm and invited me to accompany him
back to The Larches. He was look
ing very grave. and / feared that my
indescretion of the night before had got
round to his ears. But IL soon trans
pired that his thoughts were occupied
by something of a totally different
nature.
See you" he said. I'VE must act.
With your help, l propose to examine
a witness. We will question him. we
will put such fear into him that the
truth Is bound to come out"
What witness are you talking off,
l asked. very much surprised
Parker" said Poirot IT asked him
| to be at my house this morning at II
o'clock. He should await us there at
this very minute"
What do you Think" / ventured,
glancing sideways at his face.
II know this-that 1 am not salts
fed"
You think that It was he who black
mailed Mrs. Ferrars?'
EITHER that, Or"
"Well?' said, after waiting a min
ute or two.
MY friend, will say this to YOU
l hope it was he"
The gravity of his manner and some
thing indefinable that tinged II re-
duced me to silence
On arrival at The Larches, we were
informed that Parker was already
there. awaiting our return. AS we
entered the room, the butler rose re-
| spectfully.
Good morning, Parker" said Poi
rot pleasantly. zone instant, pray
YOU"
He removed his overcoat and gloves.
ALLOW me, SIR" said Parker, and
sprang forward to assist him. He de-
posited the articles neatly on a chair
by the door. Poirot watched him with
approval
Thank you. my good Parker" he
said. Take a seat, will you not?
What have to say may take some
time"
Parker seated himself with an apollo
getic bend of the head.
Now. what do you think asked
you to come here for this morning
eh?"
Parker coughed.
II understood, sir. that you wished
| to ask me few questions about my
late master-private like"
"Precisement," said Poirot, beam
ing. Have you made many expert
ments in blackmail?"
"Sirv'
The butler sprang to his feet.
DO not excite yourself" said Poi
rot placidiy. do not play the farce
Of the honest, injured man. You know
all there is to know about the black
mail, Is 1t not sop
"Sir. 1--we never--never been"
"Insulted," suggested Poirot. Gin
| such a way before. Then why, my ex-
| ceiient Parker, were you so anxious
10 overhear the conversation I'm Mr.
Ackroyd's study the other evening,
mail?"
| II wasn't--T-"
/ Who was your last MASTER" raped
out Poirot suddenly.
My last MASTER"
| Yes. the master you were with be-
fore you came to Mr.. Ackroyd."
"A Maj. Ellerby. sir"
Poirot took the words out of his
mouth.
Just so. Maj. ElIerby. Mai EiIer-
by was addicted to drugs. was he not?
You travelled about with him. When
he was in Bermuda there was some
trouble man was killed.
Maj Ellerby was partly responsible.
IL was hushed up. But you knew
about 1t. How much did Maj. Ellerby
pay you to keep your mouth shut?"
Parker was staring at him, open.
mouthed. The man had gone to
pieces, his cheeks shook fiabbily,
You see, me, l have made in
quiries." said Poirot, pleasantly. "It
Is as l say. You got a good sum then
as blackmail. and Maj. Ellerby went
on paying you until he died. Now I
want to hear about your latest ex-
pertinent"
Parker still stared.
1T Is useless to deny. Hercule
Poirot knows. II Is so, what I have
said about Maj. Ellerby, is it not?"
AS though against his will. Parker
nodded reluctantly once. His face
was ashen pale.
But l never hurt n hair In Mr.
Ackroyd's head" he moaned. Honest
to God, sir. didn't. I've been afraid
OF this coming all the time. And 7
tell you j didn't didn't kill him"
His voice rose almost to a scream.
Il am inclined to believe you. my
friend" said Poirot. You have not
the nerve--the courage. But 7 must
have the truth
I'll tell you anything. sir-anything
you want to know. It's true that I
tried to listen that night A word or
two ! heard made me curious. And
Mr.. Ackroyd's wanting not to he dis
turbed, and shutting himself UP with
the doctor the way he did. It's Gods
own truth what I told the police. |
heard the word 'blackmail.' sir. and
WE'LL
He paused
you thought there might be some
thing in 1t for you?" suggested Poirot,
smoothly
"Well-well yes. ! did. sir.
thought that If Mr.. Ackroyd was be
ing blackmailed. why shouldn't I have
share of the pickings?'