THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD
the housekeeper's summons, and stood very straight with those same gray eyes fixed on us.
"You are Ursula Bourne?" asked the inspector.
"Yes, sir."
"I understand you are leaving?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why is that?"
"I disarranged some papers on Mr. Ackroyd's desk. He was very angry about it, and I said I had better leave. He told me to go as soon as possible."
"Were you in Mr. Ackroyd's bedroom at all last night? Tidying up or anything?"
"No, sir. That is Elsie's work. I never went near that part of the house."
"I must tell you, my girl, that a large sum of money is missing from Mr. Ackroyd's room."
At last I saw her roused. A wave of color swept over her face.
"I know nothing about any money. If you think I took it, and that that is why Mr. Ackroyd dismissed me, you are wrong."
"I'm not accusing you of taking it, my girl," said the inspector. "Don't flare up so."
The girl looked at him coldly.
"You can search my things if you like," she said disdainfully. "But you won't find anything."
Poirot suddenly interposed.
"It was yesterday afternoon that Mr. Ackroyd dismissed you—or you dismissed yourself, was it not?" he asked.
[130]
