"'The ceremony, performed at St George's, Hanover Square, was very quiet one, no one being present save the father bride, Mr Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace, and Lady Clara St Simon (the younger brother and sister bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Whittington The whole party proceeded afterwards house of Mr Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast prepared It appears that some little trouble was caused by woman, whose name ascertained, who endeavoured to force her way house bridal party, alleging that she had some claim upon Lord St Simon only after painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected butler footman The bride, who had fortunately entered the house before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast rest, when she complained of sudden indisposition and retired to her room Her prolonged absence having caused some comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that she had only come her chamber for an instant, caught up an ulster and bonnet, and hurried down passage footmen declared that he had seen lady leave the house thus apparelled, but had refused to credit his mistress, believing her company On ascertaining that his daughter had disappeared, Mr Aloysius Doran, in conjunction bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which will probably result in speedy clearing up very singular business late hour last night, however, nothing had transpired whereabouts missing lady rumours of foul play matter, and said police have caused the arrest woman who had caused the original disturbance, belief that, from jealousy or some other motive, she may concerned strange disappearance bride '"

"And all ? "

" little item in another morning papers, but suggestive one "

"And --"

"That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, has actually been arrested It appears that she was formerly danseuse Allegro, she has known the bridegroom no further particulars, whole case is in your hands now-- set forth public press "

"And an exceedingly interesting case it appears have missed it for worlds But ring bell, Watson, and clock makes it after four, will prove our noble client dream of going, Watson, for I prefer having witness, if only as check to my own memory "

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

"Good-day, Lord St Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing "Pray basket-chair my friend and colleague, Dr Watson Draw up little fire, and talk over "

"A most painful matter , most readily imagine, Mr Holmes cut quick I understand that already managed several delicate cases sort sir, though I presume were hardly same class of society "

"No, descending "

"I beg pardon "

"My last client sort was king "

"Oh, really ! I had no idea And which king ? "

"The King of Scandinavia "

"What ! Had his wife ? "

" understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend affairs other clients the same secrecy which I promise in yours "

" ! Very right ! very right ! I'm sure I beg pardon my own case, ready any information assist you in forming an opinion "

" already learned all public prints, nothing more I presume that take it as correct-- this article, for example, disappearance bride "

Lord St Simon glanced over it "Yes, correct, as far as it goes "

"But it needs great deal of supplementing before anyone could offer an opinion that arrive at my facts most directly by questioning you "

"Pray "

"When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran ? "

"In San Francisco, year ago "

"You were travelling States ? "

"Yes "

"Did you become engaged then ? "

"No "

"But you were on friendly footing ? "

" amused by her society, and she that amused "

"Her father is very rich ? "

" said the richest man Pacific slope "

"And how did he make his money ? "

"In mining He had nothing few Then he struck gold, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds "

"Now, your own impression young lady's--your wife's character ? "

The nobleman swung his glasses little faster and stared down fire " , Mr Holmes," said he, "my wife was twenty before her father became rich man During she ran free in mining camp and wandered through woods or mountains, her education from Nature rather than schoolmaster what we call in England tomboy, with strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of traditions impetuous--volcanic, about swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her resolutions other hand, have given her the name which the honour to bear"-- little stately cough--" her at bottom noble woman I believe that capable of heroic self-sacrifice anything dishonourable repugnant to her "

" her photograph ? "

"I brought this with me " He opened locket and showed us the full face of very lovely woman not photograph but an ivory miniature, artist had brought out the full effect lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, exquisite mouth Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it Then he closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St Simon

"The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your acquaintance ? "

"Yes, her father brought her over last London season I met her , became engaged to her, now married her "

"She brought, I understand, considerable dowry ? "

"A fair dowry Not more than is usual in my family "

"And this, , remains , marriage is fait accompli ? "

"I really no inquiries "

"Very naturally not Did Miss Doran day wedding ? "

"Yes "

"Was she in good spirits ? "

"Never better She kept talking of what do future lives "

"Indeed ! very interesting And morning wedding ? "

"She was as bright as possible-- until ceremony "

"And did you observe any change in her then ? "

"Well, the truth, then the first signs that I had ever seen that her temper was just little sharp The incident however, was too trivial to relate and no possible bearing case "

"Pray it, for all that "

"Oh, childish She dropped her bouquet went towards the vestry She was passing the front pew , and it fell over pew moment's delay, but the gentleman pew handed it her again, and it appear the worse fall Yet when I spoke to her matter, she answered me abruptly; and carriage, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause "