It cannot take to itself a
tongue, and speak by word of mouth also; and, in support of this, I may
call your Lordship's attention to the general principles of law governing
the interpretation of written documents."
"I am quite aware of those principles, Mr. Attorney, and I cannot see
that they touch this question."
"As your Lordship pleases. Then I will fall back upon my main contention,
that Miss Smithers is, for the purposes of this case, a document and
nothing but a document, and has no more right to open her mouth in
support of the plaintiff's case, than would any paper will, if it could
be miraculously endowed with speech."
"Well," said the Judge, "it certainly strikes me as a novel point. What
have you to say to it, Mr. Short?"
All eyes were now turned upon James, for it was felt that if the point
was decided against him the case was lost.
"The point to which I wish you to address yourself, Mr. Short," went on
the learned Judge, "is--Is the personality of Miss Smithers so totally
lost and merged in what, for want of a better term I must call her
documentary capacity, as to take away from her the right to appear before
this Court like any other sane human being, and give evidence of events
connected with its execution?"
"If your Lordship pleases," said James, "I maintain that this is not so.
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