I ran down the stairs and took up the receiver.

 

“What?” I said. “_What?_ Certainly, I’ll come at once.”

 

I ran upstairs, caught up my bag, and stuffed a few extra dressings into it.

 

“Parker telephoning,” I shouted to Caroline, “from Fernly. They’ve just found

Roger Ackroyd murdered.”

 

CHAPTER V

 

MURDER

 

I got out the car in next to no time, and drove rapidly to Fernly.

 

Jumping out, I pulled the bell impatiently. There was some delay in answering,

and I rang again.

 

Then I heard the rattle of the chain and Parker, his impassivity of countenance

quite unmoved, stood in the open doorway.

 

I pushed past him into the hall.

 

“Where is he?” I demanded sharply.