PARKER
is, if you will be so good as to give it to me. You acted, I understand, for the late Mrs. Ferrars of King's Paddock?"
I noticed the swift gleam of surprise which showed in the lawyer's eyes, before his professional reserve came down once more like a mask over his face.
"Certainly. All her affairs passed through our hands."
"Very good. Now, before I ask you to tell me anything, I should like you to listen to the story Dr. Sheppard will relate to you. You have no objection, have you, my friend, to repeating the conversation you had with Mr. Ackroyd last Friday night?"
"Not in the least," I said, and straightway began the recital of that strange evening.
Hammond listened with close attention.
"That is all," I said, when I had finished.
"Blackmail," said the lawyer thoughtfully.
"You are surprised?" asked Poirot.
The lawyer took off his pince-nez and them with his handkerchief.
"No," he replied, "I can hardly say that I am surprised. I have suspected something of the kind for some time."
"That brings us," said Poirot, "to the information for which I am asking. If any one can give us an idea of the actual sums paid, you are the man, monsieur.
"I see no object in withholding the information," said Hammond, after a moment or two. "During the past year, Mrs. Ferrars has sold out certain securities, and the money for them was paid into her account and not reinvested. As her income was a large one, and she lived
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