The case was first on the
list, and there were a good many counsel engaged on the other side. Just
as the judge took his seat, the solicitor, with an expression of dismay,
handed Geoffrey a telegram which had that moment arrived from Mr.
Candleton. It 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 prepared," said the agonised
solicitor. "What is more, I can hear nothing of the Attorney-General,
and his clerk does not seem to know where he is. You must ask for an
adjournment, Mr. Bingham; you can't manage the case alone."
"Very well," said Geoffrey, and on the case being called he rose and
stated the circumstances to the court. But the Court was crusty. It had
got the fog down its throat, and altogether It didn't seem to see it.
Moreover the other side, marking its advantage, 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, &c.
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