The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-07-27
CHAPTER XVII.

| z 4 | Z I ] 'Al:'z{11If'1'Ef4EI3 ;
"My lord and gentlemen of the jury, Z do
not think it necessary to carry MAJ case
any further"
Before 10 O'Clock on the following morning,
| having already spent two hours over his
brief, that he had now thoroughly mastered,
Godfrey was at his chambers, which he had
some difficulty in reaching, owing to the thick
log that still hung over London, and indeed
all England
To his surprise nothing had been heard
either of the attorney general or of Mr..
Candleton. The solicitors were in despair:
but he consoled them by saying that one or
the other was sure to turn up in time, and
that few words would suffice to explain the
additional light which had been thrown on
the case. He occupied his half hour. how
ever, in making few rough notes to guide
him in the altogether improbable event of his
being called on to open, and then went into
court. The case was first on the list. and
there were good many counsel engaged on
the other side. Just as the judge took his seat
the solicitor, with an expression of dismay,
handed Godfrey telegram which had that
moment arrived from Mr.. Candleton. 1t was
dated from Calais on the previous night, and
ran: Am unable to cross on account of thick
fog. You had better get somebody else in
Parsons and Douse"
And we haven't got another brief pre-
pared" said the agonized solicitor "What
is more, | can hear nothing OF the attorney
general, and his clerk does not seem to know
where he is You must ask for an adjourn
ment, Mr. Bingham; you can't manage the
case alone"
Very well" said Godfrey, and on the case
being called he rose and stated the circum-
stances to the court. But the court was
crusty. 1t had got the fog down its learned
throat, and altogether it didn't seem to see it.
Moreover the other side, marking its advan-
tage, objected strongly. The witnesses,
brought at great expense, were there: his
lordship was there, the jury was there; if this
case was not taken there was no other with
which they could go on, ETC., etc.
The court took the same Wow and lectured
Godfrey severely. Every counsel in a case.
the court remembered when it was at the bar.
used to be able to open that case at a mo-
ment's notice, and though things had, it i'm
piled, no doubt deteriorated to considerable
extent since those palmy days, every counsel
ought still to be prepared to do so on emer-
gency.
OF course, however, if he, Godfrey, told
the court that he was absolutely unprepared
to go on with the case, it would have no op-
ton but to grant an adjournment.
u am perfectly prepared to go on with it,
my lord" Godfrey interposed calmly.
Every WELL" said the court in Modified
tone, then go on: 1 have no doubt that
the learned attorney general will arrive pres
emily"
Then as is not unusual in probate suit.
iolowed an argument as to who should open
1t, the plaintiff or the defendant. Godfrey
claimed that this right clearly lay with him,
and the opposing counsel raised no great OBJ
lection, thinking that they would do well to
leave the opening IN the hands Of rather in
experienced man, who would very likely
work his side more harm than good. So,
somewhat to the horror of the solicitors.
who thought with longing of the elouuence
OF the attorney general and the unrivaled ex-
perience and finesss Of Mr.. Caudleton. Geof-
frey was called upon to open the case for the
defendants propounding the first will
he rose without fear or hesitation. and
With but one prayer in his heart, that no TN
timely attorney general would put in an ap-
pearance. He had got his chance, tho chance
Tor which many able men have to wait long
years, and no knew 1t. and meant to mako the
most OF 1t. Naturally a brilliant speaker.
'eo-iiey "t-o I-or, as 80 many gUvi oI,c,.arTa
ire, subject to fits OF nerv business, and he
was, moreover, thoroughly master of his case.
N live minutes judge, jury and counsel were
III listening to him with attention: in ten
hey were absorbed in the lucid and slccinct
statement CT the facts which he was unfold
ng to them. His ghost theory was at first
'eceiVed with smile, but presently counsel
N the other side ceased to smile and began
% look uneasy. If he could prove what he
aid, there was an end of their case. When
he had been speaking for about forty minutes
me of the opposing counsel interrupted him
With some remark, and at that moment he
iotced the attorney generals clerk was talk
ng to the solicitor beneath him.
Bother it, he is coming" thought Geof-
rey.
But no, the solicitor bending forward in
ormed him that the attorney general he'd
been unavoidably detained by some impor-
ant government matter, and had returned
lis brief
well, we must get on as we can" Geof-
rey said
III you continue like that we shall get on
Iery well, whispered the solicitor, and then
Ieo1rey knew that he vas doing well
Yes, Mr.. Bingham said his lordslip
Then Godfrey went on with his statement.
AT lunch time it was question whether
mother leader should be briefed Godfrey
and that SO far as he was concerned he could
ret on alone. He knew every point in the
ase, and he had got a friend to ''take note"
or him while he was speaking.
After some hesitation the solicitors decided
lot to brief fresh counsel at this stage of tho
ause, but to leave it entirely in his hands
1t would be useless to follow the details of
his remarkable will suit, which lasted two
avs and attracted much attention. Godfrey
ron it, and won it triumphantly. His adj
ress to the jury on the whole case was long
emembered in the courts, rising as it did TO
very high level of forensic eloquence. Few
7ho saw it ever forgot the sight of his hand
ome face and commanding presence as he
rushed the case of his opponents like an egg
lell, and then with calm and overwhelming ,
orcc denounced the woman who with her
'ver had concocted the cruel plot that robbed
er uncle of life and her cousins of their