Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-05-22
CHAPTER XVII.
GEoFFREY WINS HIS CASE.

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 be had
some difficulty in reaching, owing 70 the thick
fog that still hung over London, and indeed
all England
Tonlis 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 Hc occupied his half hour, how
ever, in making a 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 dislnay,
handed Godfrey a telegram which had that
moment arrived from DIR Candleton. 1t was
dated from Calais on the previous night, and
ran. Am unable to crosse on account of thick
fog You had better get somebody else in
Parsons and Douse.n
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 be is You must ask for an adjourn
ment, Mr. Bingham, you can't manage the
case alones
Every wel.n 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 view and lectured
Godfrey severely. Every counsel in case,
the court remembered when it was at the bar,
used to be able 10 open that case at a mo-
ment's notice, and though things had, it i'm
piled, no doubt deteriorated TO a 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 OPP
tion but to grant an adjournment.
Il am perfectly prepared 10 go on with it,
my lord, Godfrey interposed calmly.
Very WE'LL said the court In a Modified
tone, ''then go on / have no doubt that
the learned attorney general will arrive pres
emily"
Then, as is not unusual in q probate suit,
followed an argument as to who should open
it. 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 a 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 eioguence
OF the attorney general and the unrivaled ex-
perience and fnesse of Mr. Candleton. Geof-
frey was called upon to open the case for the
defendants, propounding the first win.
He rose without fear or hesitation. and
with but one prayer in his heart, that no IN
timely attorney general would put IN an ap
pearance He had got his chance, the chsncs
for which many able men have to wait long
years. and he knew IL, and meant to make the
most Of IL Naturally a brilliant speaker,