“Short, my Lord.”
“Do you appear alone for the plaintiff, Mr. Short?” asked the Judge, with emphasis.
“Yes, my Lord, I do,” answered James, and as he said it every pair of eyes in that crowded assembly fixed themselves upon him, and a sort of audible smile seemed to run round the court. The thing not unnaturally struck the professional mind as ludicrous and without precedent.
“And who appears for the defendant?”
“I understand, my Lord,” said the learned Attorney-General, “that all my learned friends on these two benches appear together, with myself, for one or other of the defendants, or are watching the case in the interest of legatees.”
Here a decided titter interrupted him.
“I may add that the interests involved in this case are very large indeed, which accounts for the number of counsel connected in one way or other with the defence.”
“Quite so, Mr. Attorney,” said the Judge: “but, really, the forces seem a little out of proportion. Of course the matter is not one in which the Court can interfere.”
“If your Lordship will allow me,” said James, “the only reason that the plaintiff is so poorly represented is that the funds to brief other counsel were, I understand, not forthcoming. I am, however, well versed in the case and, with your Lordship’s permission, will do my best with it.”
“Very well, Mr. Short,” said the learned Judge, looking at him almost with pity, “state your case.”