If it appear at the trial that the plaintiff or plaintiffs, or one (1) of them, was, at the commencement of the action, entitled to recover possession of the premises in question, or of some part thereof, but that his or their title has expired at the time of the trial, the plaintiff or plaintiffs so entitled shall, notwithstanding such expiration, have a verdict according to the fact that he had such right of recovery at the commencement of the action, and shall recover his costs of suit; but as to the premises claimed, the judgment shall be that the plaintiff be involuntarily dismissed.