Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some allusion
to a rat.
The Coroner: What did you understand by that?
Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was
delirious.
The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father had
this final quarrel?
Witness: I should prefer not to answer.
The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it.
Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can assure you
that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which followed.
The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point out to
you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case considerably
in any future proceedings which may arise.
Witness: I must still refuse.
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?
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