Chapter 26 Summary

Poirot tells James that it was only the discrepancy in time that first drew his attention away from James. James says, why would I kill Mr. Ackroyd? Poirot tells him he knows that it was him who was blackmailing Mrs. Ferrars. Who would have better knowledge that she killed her husband than the doctor attending to the case? James mentioned a legacy he received years ago to explain the money he has, but Poirot found no trace of a legacy.

James asks Poirot how he explains the phone call. Caroline told Poirot that one of James' patients on the morning of the murder was a steward from an American liner. He was likely going to leave Liverpool by train that evening. James could have asked the man to make the call. Poirot contacted the steward and found out his theory was true.

James...