Chapter 17 Summary

The next morning James feels guilty about letting the information about the ring slip out. That afternoon Mr. Ackroyd and Mrs. Ferrars' funerals take place. Poirot takes James aside looking worried. James worries that Poirot found out about his slip about the ring. Poirot tells James that soon Parker is coming over, and they will question him harshly, until the truth comes out.

Parker arrives. Poirot confronts him blackmailing his former employer, Mr. Ellerby. Parker eventually confesses to the blackmail and even tells Poirot and James that he was eavesdropping on the conversation in Mr. Ackroyd's office because he thought he could find a way to get in on the blackmail. He asserts that he found out nothing from the eavesdropping and that he has nothing to do with the murder.

After Parker leaves, James confesses that he told some people about the...