CHAPTER XVII.
GEOFFREY WINS HIS CASE Before ten o'clock on the following morning, having already spent two hours over his brief, that he had now thoroughly mastered, Geoffrey was at his chambers, which he had some difficulty in reaching owing to the thick fog that still hung over London, and indeed all England.
To his 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 a few words would suffice to explain the additional light which had been thrown on the case.

He occupied his half hour, however, 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 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.