The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Murder of « \ Roger Ackroyd (By Agatha Christie) CHAPTER XIX Flora Ackroyd As 1 was returning from my round the following morning, 1 was hailed by Inspector Raglan. 1 pulled up, and the inspector mounted on the step. "Good-morning, Doctor Sheppard," he said. "Well, that alibi is all right enough." "Charles Kent's?" "Charles Kent's, The barmaid at the Dog and Whistle, Sally Jones, she re- members him perfectly. Picked out his hotograph from among five aihers. i was just a quarter to ten when he came into the bar, and the Dog and Whistle is well aver a mile from Fern- ly Park. The girl mentions that he had a lot of money on him--she saw him sake a handful 'of nates out of his pocket. Rather surprised her, it did, secing the class of fellow he was, with a pair of boots clean dropping off him. That's where that forty pounds went right enough." "The man still refuses to give an account of his visit to Fernly?' "Obstinate as a mule he is. I had a chat with Hayes at Liverpool over the wire this morning." "Hercule Poirot says he knows the yeason the man went there that night," 1 observed. "Does he?" cried the inspector eagerly. "Yes," 1 said maliciously, "He says he went there because he was horn mm Kent" 1 felt a distinct pleasure in passing on my own discomfiture. Raglan stared at me lor a moment or two uncomprehendingly, Then a grin overspread his weaselly counten- ance and he tapped his forchead sig- nificantly. "Rit gone here," he said. "I've thought so for some time, Poor old chap, so that's why he had to give up and come down here, In the family, very likely, He's got a nephew who's quite off his erumpet." "Poirot has?" 1 said, very surprised, EE A -- ometr EYESIGHT SPECIALIST, Does your work require close vange vision? Don't fail te have your eyes examined. You may be injuring them, == 335. 1616 "HON EB 1510 Disney Block oppwite Post Owe 325 "Yes. Hasn't he ever mentioned him to you? Quite docile, 1 believe, and all that, but mad as a hatter, poor lad" "Whe told you that?' Again a grin showed itself on In- spector Raglan's face, "Your sister, Miss Sheppard, she told me all about it." Really, Caroline is amazing. She never rests until she knows the last details of everybody's family secrets. Unfortunately, 1 have never been able to instil into her the decency of keep ing them to herself. "Tump in, inspector," | said, opening the door of the car . "We'll go up to The Larches together, and acquaint our Belgian friend with the latest news." "Might as well, 1 suppose. After all, even if he is a bit balmy, it was a useful tip he gave me about those fn- gerprints. He's got a hee in his honnet about the man Kent, but who knows-- there may be something useful hehind on Poirot received us with his usual smiling courtesy. He listened to the information we had brought him, nodding his head now and then. "Seems quite OK, doesn't it?" said the inspector rather gloomily. "A chap can't he murdering some one in one place when he's drinking in the bar in another place a mile away?" "Are you going to release him?" "Dont see what clse we can do. We can't very well hold him for obtaining money on false pretenges. Can't prove a ruddy thing." - The inspector tossed a match into the grate in a disgruntled fashion. Poirot retrieved it and put it neatly in a little receptacle designed for the purpose, His action was purely mech- anical. 1 could see that his thoughts were on something very different. "If 1 were yon," he said at last, "I should not release the man Charles Kent vet." "What do you mean?" Raglamr stared at him. "What 1 say. | should not him yet." "You don't think he can haye had anything to do with the murder, do you?" "I think probahly not--hut one can- not he certain yet." "But haven't | just told yon--" Poirot raised a hand protestingly. "Mais oui, mais out, I heard. I am not deaf--nor stupid, thank the good God! But see you, you approach the release matter from the wrong--the wrong-- premises, is not that the word? The inspector stared at him heavily. "I dont see how you make that ont. Look here, we know Mr. Ackroyd was L » L * " L L STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT for rent either in EE TE TE TE SEE EE EEE RE TE EE A) OR SS EEE J Sn a a ee Low rental, CHARLES About 12,000 ft, of good dry storage space, conveniently locat- ed, with Canadian National siding, ¢/0 Mundy Printing Company, Limited Telephone 35 or 312 whole or in part. M. MUNDY A TE EE TET TTR TERR EY ha ae ie i a a a i 2 2 JN Se Se Se ee We are DIX Solvay Coke Agents Jeddo Premium Coal The Best Produced in America General Motors Wood -- All Fuel Orders weighed on City Scales if desived. For Sale hy Johns Piano Store Phone 851 The o Vela" aNtisio 80 Nimeoe St, N, You admit alive at a quarter to ten, that, don't von? Poirot looked at him for a moment, then shook his head wih a quick smile. "I admit nothing that is not--proy- ed!" "Well, we've got that. evidence, "That she said good-night to her wnele © But me--I do not always he- lieve what a young lady tells me--no, not even when she is charming and heautiful." "But hang it all, man, Parker saw her coming ont of the door." 'No. Poirot's voice rang out with sudden sharpness, "That is just what he did not see. | satisfied myself of that hy a little experiment the other dav--vou remember, dostor? Parker saw her outside the door, with her proof enongh of We've gat Miss Flora Ackroyd's hand on the handle. He did not see | her come out of the room." "But--where else could she have | heen 2" "Perhaps on the stairs." "That 1s my little idea--ves."" "But those stairs only lead to Mr. Ackroyd's hedroom." "Precisely." And still the mspecotr stared. "You think she'd heen up to her uncle's hedroom? Well, why. not? Why should she lie ahout i?" "Ah! that is just the question. [It depends on what she was doing there, does it not?" "You mean--the money? Hang it all, you don't suggest that it was Miss | Ackroyd who took that forty pounds?" "I suggest nothing," said Poirot. "But I will remind you of this. Life was not very easy for that mother and dagghter. There were hills--there was constant trouble over small sums of money. Roger Ackroyd was a pecn- liar man over money matters. The girl | might he at her wits' end for a com- paratively small sum. Figure to your seli then what happens. She has taken the money, descends the little staircase. When she is half-way down she hears the chink of glass from the hall. She has not a doubt of what it is--Parker coming to the study. At all costs she must not he found on the stairs-- Parker will not forget it, he will think it odd. Ii the money missed, Parker is sure to remember | having scen her come down those stairs. She has just time to rush down she 1s come out, when Parker appears in the | doorway. comes into her head, a repetition of Roger Ackroyd's orders earlier in the evening, and then goes upstairs to her own hoom." "Yes, but later," persisted the inspec- tor, "she must have realised the vital -- Men's Overshoes One Buckle $1.98 I Collis & Sons BO-B4 King Swreet West, Oshawa Opp. Centre Ht. Phone 733W ll A hhh he aL MB ' importance of speaking the truth? : Why, the whole case hi on it" | "Afterwards," said Poirot dryly, "it was a little difficult for Mademoiselle Flora. She is told simply that the police are here and that there has been a robbery, Naturally she jumps to the conclusion that the theft of the money has been discovered. Her ome idea is to stick to her story. When she learns that her uncle is dead she is panic-' stricken. Young women do not faint nowadays, monsieur., without comsider- able provocation. Eh bien! there it 1s. She is bound to stick 10 her story, or else confess everything. And a voung and pretty girl does not like to admit that she is a thief--especially be- lure those whose esteem she 1s anxious to retain." Raglan brought his fist down with a thump on the table. "I'll not believe it," he said. "It's-- it's not credible. And you--you've known this all along. "The possibility has been in my mind from the hest," admitted Poirot. was always convinced that Mademoi- selle Flora was hiding something from us. To satisfy myself, 1 made the little experiment | told you of. Dr Sheppard accompanied me" "A test for Parker, you said it was," | & THE DSHAWA DAILY TIMES. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1927 | 1 { Famous Holt, Renfrew Quality Famous Holt, Renfrew Workmanship Famous Holt, Renfrew Style At Prices Like These Means -- FUR COATS of Canada's Greatest Value Purchasing your Fur Coat fram Holt, Renfrew--and you can now, in your own home--gives you positive assurance that you are obtain. ing the best fur coat you can procure for the price you pay--no matter how much or how little that price may be. You ave purchasing irom furriers who have a ninety-year-old reputation for fair-dealing." As Canada's Largest Furriers Holt, Renfrew are able to offer you Fur Coats of the finest pelts, of the hest style, and made up hy the nost competent furriers in our own workrooms at very notaole savings. Recause of owr huge purchases, we secure the choicest pelts offered on the world's markets and at the lovest prices. Holt, Renfrew utyles [declared (I'd prefer 10 do so privately, and | | gestion to me She says the first thing that | 1 remarked bitterly. "Man ami," said Poirot apologetic- ally, "as 1 told you at the time, one must say something." | The inspector rose. "There's only one thing for it," he "We must tackle the young lady right away. You'll come up to Fernly with me, M. Poirot?" "Certainly. Dr. Sheppard will drive us up in his car." I acquiesced willingly. On inquiry for Miss Ackroyd, we were shown into the hilliad room Flora and Major Hector Blunt were sitting on the long window seat "Good-morning, Miss Ackroyd," said the inspector. Can we have a word or two alone with you?" Blunt got up at once and moved to the door. "What is it?" asked Flora nervonsly. "Don't go, Major Blunt. He can stay, can't he?" she asked, turning 10 the mspector. "That's as youn like," said the inspec tor dryly "Lhere's a question or two it's my duty to put to you, Miss, hut aware say you'd prefer it also. Flora looked keenly at him. her face grow whiter. ed and spoke to Blunt. "I want you to stay--please--yes, | mean it. Whatever the inspector has to say to me, I'd rather you heard i." Raglan shrugged his shoulders. : "Well, if you will have it so, that's all there is to it. Now, Miss Ackroyd, M. Poirot here has made a certain sug- He suggests that you weren't in the study at all last Friday night, that vou never saw Mr. Ackroyd to say good-night to him, that instead of heing in the study yon were on the stairs leading down from your uncle's hedroom when yon heard Parker com- I saw Then she turn- Qut-of town Shopping Service For the convenience of our out-of-town custom- ers we have a Sh ng Service which will en- able you to purchase the fur coat of your choice without coming to To- ronte. Wherever possible we will send the fur coat on approval. r from this advertisement or %.\ are created hy countuviers and modistes of world-wide authovity. Helow ave representative low prices fur coats, ELECTRIC SEAL Self trimmed ELECT RIC SEAL Alaska Sable shawl collar and ELECTRIC SEAL Brown Fox shawl collar, MOLESKIN COATS Self trimmed, Smartly tailorer PERSIAN LAMB COATS With trimming of Alaska Sable HUDSON SEAL COATS. Trimmed with Kolinsky, Mink, Alaska or of Self. of Holt, Renfrew dependable $115.00 $145.00 $175.00 $195.00 $297.00 cuffs, lines, from Sable You may pay for the Holt, R choice on very easy extended pa interest charges for this service, EXTENDED PAYMENT PLAN enfrew Fur Coat of your yments if you wish, No > 'Holt: & Company enfjrew Yonge at Adelaide -- TORONTO Lmited ing across the hall" Flora's gaze shifted to Poirot nodded back at her. | *Mademmselle, the other day, when we sat round the table, I implored von to be frank with me. What one does He, not tell to Papa Poirot he finds out It was that, was it not? See, | will make it easy jor vou. You took the money, did you not?" "The money," said Blunt sharply There was a silence which lasted for at least a minute. | Then Flora drew herself np and spoke. M. Poirot is right. | took the money. [I stole. I am a thiei--ycs, a common, vulgar little thief. Now von know! [I am glad it has come out, It's heen a nightmare, these last few days! to the study door--with her hand on | She sat down suddenly and buried her the handle to show that she has just | face in her hands. She spoke huskily | through her fingers. 'You don't know what my life has been since | came] here. Wanting things, scheming for | them. lying, cheating, running up bills, | promising to pay--oh! I hate myself when I think of it all! That's what | brought us together, Ralph and | We were both weak! | understood him, and I was sorry--hecanse I'm the same | underneath. We're not strong enough to stand alone, cither of us. We're weak, miserable despicable things" She Jooked at Blunt and suddenly stamped her foot. "Why do you look at me like that-- though vou couldn't believe? may be a thief--bhut at any rate real now. I'm not lying any more, I'm not pretending to be the kind of girl you like, young and innocent and | simple. I don't care if you neyer Vie | as to see me again. | bate myself, de- spise myself --but you've got to believe one thing, if speaking the truth would i have made things better for Ralph, 1 would have spoken out. But I've seen lan along that it wouldn't be better for Ralph--It makes the case against him blacker than ever. | was not doing {him any harm by sticking to my lie." | "Ralph," said Blunt. "J sce--always ! Ralph." "You don't understand," said Flora hopelessly. "You never will." She turned to the inspector. "I admit everything; | was at my wits' end for money. [I never saw my uncle that evening after he left the dinner-table. As to the money, you can take what steps you please. Noth- ing could be worse than it is now!" Suddenly she broke down again, hid her face in her hands, and rushed from the room. "Well," said the inspector in a flat tone, "so that's that" He seemed rather at a loss what to do next. Blunt came forward. "Inspector Raglan," he said quietly, "that money was given to me by Mr. Ackroyd for a special purpose. Miss Ackroyd meyer touched it. When she says she did, she is lying with the idea of shielding Captian Paton. The truth is as I said, and | 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. Youwot was after him in a flash. He cav~ht the other up in the hall. | Plant was obviously impatient. He stood frowning down on Poirot. "At as this," said Poirot rapidly: "I am not deceived by your little fantasy. No, indeed. It was truly Miss Flora who took the money. All the same it is well imagined what you sayv--it pleases me. It 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 I'm |f pass on, hut Poirot, not at all offend- ed, laid a detaining hand on his arm "Ah! but you are to listen to me. I have more to say. The other day I spoke of concealments Very well, all along have | scen what you are concealing Mademoiselle Flora, you love her with all your heart. From the first moment you saw her, is it not so? Oh! let us not mind saying these things--why must one in Eng- land think it necessary to mention Joye as though it were some disgraceful sec- ret? You Jove Mademoiselle Flora You seek to conceal that fact from all the world. That is very good--that js as it should be. But take the advice of Herzule Poirot--do not conceal it from mademoiselle herself." Blunt had shown several signs of restlessness whilst Poirot was speak- ing, but the closing words seemed to rivet his attention "What d'vou mean by that?" he said sharply : "You think that she loves the Capi taine Ralph Pu bit I, Hercule Poirot, tell you that that is not so Mademsoille Flora accepted Captain Paton to please her uncle, and be- cause she saw in the marriage a way of escape from her life here which was becoming frankly insupportable to her. She liked him, and there was much sympathy and understanding between them But love--no! It is not Cap- tain Paton Mademoiselle Flore loves." "What the devil do you mean?" asked Blunt. I saw the dark flush under his tan. "You have been blind, monsieur. Blind! She is loyal, the little one. Ralph Paton is under a cloud, she is bound in honour to stick to him." I felt it was time | put in a word to help on the good work. "My sister told me the other night" I said encouragingly, "that Flora had never cared a penny piece for Ralph Paton, and never would. My sister is always right about these things." Blunt ignored my well-meant efforts. He spoke to Poirot. "D'you really think--" and stopped. He is one of those inarticulate men who find it hard to put things into words. Poirot knows no such disability. "If you doubt me, ask her yourself, monsieur. But perhaps you no longer care to--the affair of the money--" Blunt gave a sound like an angry dite he began, laugh. A "Think I'd hold that against her? Roger was always a queer chap about money. She got in a mess and did- n't dare tell him. Poor kid. Poor lonely kid." : Poirot looked thoughfully at the side "Mademoiselle Flora went into the garden, I think." he murmured. "I've been every kind of a fool" said Blunt abruptly. "Rum conversa- EE ---------- For 35 Years He "I suffered from indigestion and gas for 35 years. Nothing did me any good, but since the first dose of Adlerika 1 have not heen troubl- ed a minute." --D. Carlisle. Even the FIRST spoonful of Ad- lerika relieves gas and often re- moves astonishing awounts of old waste maiter from the system Makes you enjoy your meals and sleep hetter. No matter what you tion we've heen having those Danish plays But you're a sound fellow, M. Poirot. Thank yon." | | He took Poirot's hand and gave it a grip which caused the other to wince in anguish. Then he strode to the side | -- member in love." Like one of | door and passed out into the garden. "Not every kind of a fool," murmured nursing the injured fool Yoirot, tenderly "Only one kind--the (To Be Continued) fT The A Party Dresses Misses' Beautiful Party Dresses selling at half Be .. $14.95 Girls' Girls' Flannel Dresses, 7 to 14 years. $2.95 Friday, ...: Cotton Ribbed Vests Ladies' Cotton Ribbed Vests, medium and large sizes. Friday, 49¢ OSHAWA, have tried for your stomach and bowels Adlerika will surprise you. Jury and Lovell, Druggists. SIMCOE STREET NORTH Santa Claus is Getting Nearer He will arrive Saturday morning at rcade Watch Friday's Paper for Ful | Particulars, See Him Saturday Morning in Front of The Arcade TOYLAND OPENS SATURDAY MORNING - Extra Specials For Friday - | Fur Trimmed Coats Our Very Best Fur Trim- med Coats. Values up to $67 0. $57.50 Friday, Stamped Pillow Cases Sood Quality, Stamped w Cases. Fri- day ..;:;: Par, 95¢ Chiffon Hose Ladies' Chiffon Hose, Christmas boxed, 'all shades and $1.50 ; sizes. Friday, LIMITED I