“And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be.  I would not have missed it for worlds.  But there is a ring at the bell, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client.  Do not dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, if only as a check to my own memory.”

“Lord Robert St. Simon,” announced our page-boy, throwing open the door.  A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed.  His manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little bend of the knees as he walked.  His hair, too, as he swept off his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin upon the top.  As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters.  He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his golden eyeglasses.

“Good-day, Lord St. Simon,” said Holmes, rising and bowing.  “Pray take the basket-chair.  This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson.  Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this matter over.”

“A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mr. Holmes.  I have been cut to the quick.  I understand that you have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of society.”

“No, I am descending.”

“I beg pardon.”

“My last client of the sort was a king.”

“Oh, really!  I had no idea.  And which king?”

“The King of Scandinavia.”

“What!  Had he lost his wife?”

“You can understand,” said Holmes suavely, “that I extend to the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to you in yours.”

“Of course!  Very right! very right!  I’m sure I beg pardon.  As to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may assist you in forming an opinion.”

“Thank you.  I have already learned all that is in the public prints, nothing more.  I presume that I may take it as correct—­ this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride.”

Lord St. Simon glanced over it.  “Yes, it is correct, as far as it goes.”

“But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could offer an opinion.  I think that I may arrive at my facts most directly by questioning you.”

“Pray do so.”

“When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?”

“In San Francisco, a year ago.”

“You were travelling in the States?”