It may be a failure, or it may go off all right.

It depends on how we do our best.

The idea is that a prisoner is to be tried for murder (delight among the juniors).
Barnworth, who is the counsel for the prosecution, has prepared the story, and Felgate has been told what the line to be taken against the prisoner is, so that he might prepare his defence.

These are the only two who know exactly what they are to do beforehand.

All the rest will have to act according to the papers they have drawn.