Pagina 179 di 657

"The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common

signal between you and your father?

"Witness: It was.

"The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw

you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol?

"Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know.

"A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions

when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father

fatally injured?

"Witness: Nothing definite.

"The Coroner: What do you mean?

"Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the

open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet I

have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay upon

the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be something

grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. When I

rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was gone.

"'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?'

"'Yes, it was gone.'

"'You cannot say what it was?'