Page:Murder of Roger Ackroyd - 1926.djvu/299

 Poirot interrupted.

"That is your advice, yes? That he should come forward?"

"Certainly. If you know where he is"

"I perceive that you do not believe that I do know. And yet I have told you just now that I know everything. The truth of the telephone call, of the footprints on the window-sill, of the hiding-place of Ralph Paton"

"Where is he?" said Blunt sharply.

"Not very far away," said Poirot, smiling.

"In Cranchester?" I asked.

Poirot turned towards me.

"Always you ask me that. The idea of Cranchester it is with you an idée fixe. No, he is not in Cranchester. He is—there!"

He pointed a dramatic forefinger. Every one's head turned.

Ralph Paton was standing in the doorway.