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"'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,-Lord Backwater tells me that I may

place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I have

determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in

reference to the very painful event which has occurred in

connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is

acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no

objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that it

might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the

afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that

time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of

paramount importance. Yours faithfully,

"'ROBERT ST. SIMON.'

"It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen,

and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink

upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes

as he folded up the epistle.

"He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an

hour."