THE PARLORMAID
character, and that he admired and respected her. He was always going on about her rectitude and independence and moral worth. I think there's something fishy about her. She was certainly doing her best to marry Roger. But I soon put a stop to that. She's always hated me. Naturally. I saw through her."
I began to wonder if there was any change of stemming Mrs. Ackroyd's eloquence, and getting away.
Mr. Hammond provided the necessary diversion by coming up to say good-by. I seized my chance and rose also.
"About the inquest," I said. "Where would you prefer it to be held. Here, or at the Three Boars?"
Mrs. Ackroyd stared at me with a dropped jaw.
"The inquest?" she asked, the picture of consternation. "But surely there won't have to be an inquest?"
Mr. Hammond gave a dry little cough and murmured, "Inevitable. Under the circumstances," in two short little barks.
"But surely Dr. Sheppard can arrange———"
"There are limits to my powers of arrangement," I said dryly.
"If his death was an accident———"
"He was murdered, Mrs. Ackroyd," I said brutally.
She gave a little cry.
"No theory of accident will hold water for a minute."
Mrs. Ackroyd looked at me in distress. I had no patience with what I thought was her silly fear of unpleasantness.
[125]
