The Boscombe Valley Mystery

“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?’ “ ‘No, I had a feeling something was there.’ “ ‘How far from the body?’ “ ‘A dozen yards or so.’ “ ‘And how far from the edge of the wood?’ “ ‘About the same.’ “ ‘Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen yards of it?’ “ ‘Yes, but with my back towards it.’ “This concluded the examination of the witness.”