‘I am inclined to believe you, my friend,’ said Poirot. ‘You have not the nerve – the courage. But I must have the truth.’ ‘I’ll tell you anything, sir, anything you want to know.
Il’s true that I tried to listen that night. A word or two I heard made me curious. And Mr Ackroyd’s wanting not to be disturbed, and shutting himself up with the doctor the way he did. It’s God’s own truth what I told the police. I heard the word blackmail, sir, and well ‘ He paused.
‘You thought there might be something in it for you?’ suggested Poirot smoothly.
‘Well – well, yes, I did, sir. I thought that if Mr Ackroyd was being blackmailed, why shouldn’t I have a share of the Pickings?’ A very curious expression passed over Poirot’s face. He leaned forward.
‘Had you any reason to suppose before that night that Mr Ackroyd was being blackmailed?’ ‘No, indeed, sir. It was a great surprise to me. Such a regular gentleman in all his habits.’ ‘How much did you overhear?’ ‘Not very much, sir. There seemed what I might call a spite against me. Of course I had to attend to my duties in the pantry.
And when I did creep along once or twice to the study it was no use. The first time Dr Sheppard came out and almost caught me in the act, and another time Mr Raymond passed me in the big hall and went that way, so I knew it was no use; and when I went with the tray. Miss Flora headed me off.’ Poirot stared for a long time at the man, as if to test his sincerity. Parker returned his gaze earnestly.
‘I hope you believe me, sir. I’ve been afraid all along the police would rake up that old business with Major Ellerby and be suspicious of me in consequence.’ ‘Eh bien,’ said Poirot at last. ‘I am disposed to believe you.
But there is one thing I must request of you – to show me your bank-book. You have a bank-book, I presume?’ ‘Yes, sir, as a matter of fact, I have it with me now.’ With no sign of confusion, he produced it from his pocket.
Poirot took the slim, green-covered book and perused the entries.
‘Ah! I perceive you have purchased £500 worth of National Savings Certificates this year?’ ‘Yes, sir. I have already over a thousand pounds saved – the result of my connection with – er – my late master. Major Ellerby. And I have had quite a little flutter on some horses this year – very successful. If you remember, sir, a rank outsider won the Jubilee. I was fortunate enough to back it £20.’
Poirot handed him back the book.
‘I will wish you good morning. I believe that you have told me the truth. If you have not – so much the worse for you, my friend.’ When Parker had departed, Poirot picked up his overcoat once more.
‘Going out again?’ I asked.
‘Yes, we will pay a little visit to the good M. Hammond.’ ‘You believe Parker’s story?’ ‘It is credible enough on the face of it. It seems clear that unless he is a very good actor indeed – he genuinely believes it was Ackroyd himself who was the victim of blackmail. If so, he knows nothing at all about the Mrs Ferrars business.’ ‘Then in that case – who – ?’ ‘Precisement\ Who? But our visit to M. Hammond will accomplish one purpose. It will either clear Parker completely or else ‘ ‘Well?’ ‘I fall into the bad habit of leaving my sentences unfinished this morning,’ said Poirot apologetically. ‘You must bear with me.’ ‘By the way,’ I said, rather sheepishly, ‘I’ve got a confession to make. I’m afraid I have inadvertently let out something about that ring.’ ‘What ring?’ ‘The ring you found in the goldfish pond.’ ‘Ah! yes,’ said Poirot, smiling broadly.
‘I hope you’re not annoyed? It was very careless of me.’ ‘But not at all, my good friend, not at all. I laid no commands upon you. You were at liberty to speak of it if you so wished. She was interested, your sister?’ ‘She was indeed. It created a sensation. All sorts of theories are flying about.’ ‘Ah! And yet it is so simple. The true explanation leapt to the eye, did it not?’ ‘Did it?’ I said drily.