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THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD
"Is it really—serious?" I asked.
He nodded.
"I'm fairly up against it this time," he said soberly.
The unusual ring of gravity in his voice told me that he spoke the truth. It took a good deal to make Ralph grave.
"In fact," he continued, "I can't see my way ahead. . . . I'm damned if I can."
"If I could help———" I suggested diffidently.
But he shook his head very decidedly.
"Good of you, doctor. But I can't let you in on this. I've got to play a lone hand."
He was silent a minute and then repeated in a slightly different tone of voice:—
"Yes—I've got to play a lone hand. . . ."
[30]
