+ // since i(p)lists always publicly derive from the corresponding
+ // traits, placing a data member in this class will augment i(p)list.
+ // But since the NodeTy is expected to publicly derive from
+ // ilist_node<NodeTy>, there is a legal viable downcast from it
+ // to NodeTy. We use this trick to superpose i(p)list with a "ghostly"
+ // NodeTy, which becomes the sentinel. Dereferencing the sentinel is
+ // forbidden (save the ilist_node<NodeTy>) so no one will ever notice
+ // the superposition.
+ return static_cast<Instruction*>(&Sentinel);