THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD
I see that—I saw it in your face this afternoon. So I am taking the only road open to me. I leave to you the punishment of the person who has made my life a hell upon earth for the last year. I would not tell you the name this afternoon, but I propose to write it to you now. I have no children or near relations to be spared, so do not fear publicity. If you can, Roger, my very dear Roger, forgive me the wrong I meant to do you, since when the time came, I could not do it after all. . . ."
Ackroyd, his finger on the sheet to turn it over, paused.
"Sheppard, forgive me, but I must read this alone," he said unsteadily. "It was meant for my eyes, and my eyes only."
He put the letter in the envelope and laid it on the table.
"Later, when I am alone."
"No," I cried impulsively, "read it now."
Ackroyd stared at me in some surprise.
"I beg your pardon," I said, reddening. "I do not mean read it aloud to me. But read it through whilst I am still here."
Ackroyd shook his head.
"No, I'd rather wait."
But for some reason, obscure to myself, I continued to urge him.
"At least, read the name of the man," I said.
Now Ackroyd is essentially pig-headed. The more you urge him to do a thing, the more determined he is not to do it. All my arguments were in vain.
[46]
