That, for a young lawyer without funds or influence, is as near doing nothing as anything I can think of." "But--but, John--" "Just a minute, Captain.

The 'buts' are there, plenty of them.

Before we reach them, however, perhaps I'd better tell you the story of my life.
It isn't exciting enough to make you nervous, but it may explain a few things." He told his story.

It was not the story of his life, his whole life, by any means.

The captain already knew the first part of that life.