 In great pain from an abscessed tooth, a dyspeptic Rumpole is particularly acerbic and sarcastic to Judge Oliphant, a jurist who Rumploe considers particularly deserving of his disdain. When Erskine-Brown informs the justice that Rumpole was heard coaching his witness during the lunch break in total defiance of instruction, Oliphant has had enough and brings misconduct charges against the barrister. Although Hilda is able to persuade Sam Ballard to defend him, it is Rumpole s old nemesis, Justice Graves, who will preside at the disbarment hearing.