the inspector

After examining the body and the scene, Inspector Davis concluded the killer had used the open study window, leaving footprints with rubber-studded soles. He questioned the household and servants, locking the study door and pocketing the key. Later, he listened to Dr. Sheppard's account of the evening and heard Parker's confused story about blackmail. Davis theorized Parker committed the murder, locked the door from inside, exited through the window, and later returned via a side door, also suggesting Parker might have made then denied making a telephone call. He carefully extracted the unique Tunisian dagger from the wound, identified fingerprints on its hilt, and had it identified as a gift from Major Blunt usually kept in the drawing room's silver table. After confirming with the housekeeper that the dagger could have been taken from the open table at any time, he announced he would return in the morning with Chief Constable Colonel Melrose. Privately, Davis believed Parker was the murderer and intended not to alarm him while evidence was gathered.

After examining the body and scene, Inspector Davis concluded the murderer used the open study window, leaving footprints with rubber-studded soles. He questioned the household and servants, locked the study door, and pocketed the key. Listening to Dr. Sheppard's account and Parker's garbled story of blackmail, Davis privately theorized Parker was the killer, proposing he stabbed Ackroyd, exited through the window, and later returned. He carefully extracted the dagger, identified fingerprints on it, and showed it to Raymond and Blunt for identification. After stating he would return with Chief Constable Melrose, he was later seen outside the police station with Melrose and Inspector Raglan, seeming slightly exhilarated by his superior's annoyance at Hercule Poirot's involvement.