解説　場面 13「青年の陳述」

"Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, for my father was a man of a very violent temper.

「次に、故人の一人息子、ジェームズ・マッカーシー氏が呼び出され、以下のとおり証言した。『私はブリストルで三日間家を留守にしており、先週の月曜、三日の朝に帰ってきたばかりでした。帰宅したとき父は不在で、馬丁のジョン・コブと馬車でロスへ出かけた、と女中から聞きました。戻ってまもなく、庭で父の辻馬車の車輪の音がしたので窓から外を見ると、父が降りて足早に庭から出ていくのが見えました。ただ、どちらの方角へ向かったのかは知りませんでした。それから銃を持ち、向こう岸にあるウサギの生息地へ行くつもりで、ボスコム池のほうへぶらぶら歩いて出かけました。途中、猟場番のウィリアム・クラウダーに会ったのは、彼の証言のとおりです。ですが、私が父のあとをつけていたと思っているのは間違いです。父が自分の前にいるとは、まったく知りませんでした。池まで百ヤードほどのところで、父と私がいつも合図に使っていた「クーイー」という呼び声を聞きました。そこで急いで先へ進むと、父が池のそばに立っていました。私を見てたいへん驚いたようで、ここで何をしているのかと、かなり荒っぽく尋ねました。話すうちに激しい言い争いになり、殴り合いになりかけました。父はたいへん激しい気性の人だったのです。