"And now, just listen," and he proceeded to unfold his moving tale with much point and emphasis.
When he had finished John looked at James rather helplessly.

The case was beyond him.

But James was equal to the occasion.

He had mastered that first great axiom which every young barrister should lay to heart--"Never appear to be ignorant." "This case," he said, as though he were giving judgment, "is, doubtless, of a remarkable nature, and I cannot at the moment lay my hand upon any authority bearing on the point--if, indeed, any such are to be found.

But I speak off-hand, and must not be held too closely to the _obiter dictum_ of a _viva voce_ opinion.