"When I got back my maid, who had known him in California, and had always been his friend I ordered her nothing, but few things packed and my ulster ready I spoken to Lord St Simon, but dreadful hard before his mother and all those great people I just made up my mind to run away and explain afterwards I hadn't been table ten minutes before Frank window other side road He beckoned and then began walking Park I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him Some woman came talking something or other about Lord St Simon --seemed little I heard he had little secret own before marriage also--but I managed away from her and soon overtook Frank We got into cab together, and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, was my true wedding after all those years of waiting Frank prisoner Apaches, had escaped, came on to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last very morning second wedding "

" it in paper," explained the American "It gave the name church but not where the lady lived "

"Then we had talk what do, and Frank was all for openness, but so ashamed of it all that like to vanish away and never see any again--just sending line to pa, perhaps, to show him that alive awful of all those lords and ladies sitting round that breakfast-table and waiting back So Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made bundle , I traced, and dropped them away somewhere where no one could find them likely that gone on to Paris to-morrow, only good gentleman, Mr Holmes, came round this evening, though how us is more than think, and he showed us very clearly and kindly that wrong Frank was right, putting ourselves wrong were so secret Then he offered to chance of talking to Lord St Simon alone, and so we came right away round rooms at once Now, Robert, heard it all, and very sorry if you pain, and think very meanly of me "

Lord St Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but had listened with frowning brow and compressed lip long narrative

"Excuse me," , "but my custom to discuss my most intimate personal affairs public manner " Josef Friedrich, 1906

"Then you won't forgive me ? You won't shake hands before I go ? "

"Oh, certainly, would any pleasure " He put out his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him

"I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that joined us in friendly supper "

" that there you ask little ," responded his Lordship " forced to acquiesce recent developments, but hardly be expected merry over them that with your permission now wish you all -night " He included us all in sweeping bow and stalked room

"Then I trust that you will honour me with your company," said Sherlock Holmes " always joy to meet an American, Mr Moulton, for one who believe folly of monarch blundering of minister in far-gone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens same world-wide country under flag which shall be quartering Union Jack Stars and Stripes "

"The case an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how simple the explanation of an affair which at first sight almost inexplicable Nothing more natural sequence of events as narrated lady, and nothing stranger result when viewed, for instance Lestrade, of Scotland Yard "

"You yourself at fault at all, then ? "

" first, two facts were very obvious , the one lady quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the other that she had repented of it within of returning home Obviously something had occurred during the morning, then, to cause her her mind What could that something be ? have spoken to anyone when she was out, for she company bridegroom Had she seen someone, then ? If she had, it someone from America because she had spent so short time country that hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence over her mere sight of him would induce her her plans so completely already arrived, by process of exclusion, idea that she seen an American Then this American be, and why should he possess influence over her ? It lover; it husband Her young womanhood had, , been spent in rough scenes and under strange conditions I had got before I ever heard Lord St Simon's narrative When us of man in pew, change bride's manner, of so transparent device for obtaining note dropping of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance means taking possession which another person has prior claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear She had gone off with man, man was either lover or was previous husband--the chances being in favour latter "

"And how did you find them ? "

"It difficult, but friend Lestrade held information hands the value himself know The initials were, , highest importance, but more valuable still that within week he had settled his bill at select London hotels "

"How did you deduce the select ? "

" select prices Eight shillings for bed and eight-pence for glass of sherry pointed to expensive hotels not many in London which charge rate second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I learned by an inspection book that Francis H Moulton, an American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking over the entries against him, very items which I had seen duplicate bill His letters were forwarded to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate enough the loving couple at home, I ventured them some paternal advice and to point out better in every way should make their position little clearer both general public and to Lord St Simon I invited them to meet him here, and, as , him keep the appointment "

"But with no result," I remarked "His conduct was certainly not very gracious "

"Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fortune that judge Lord St Simon very mercifully and thank our stars that never likely ourselves same position Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, only problem still to solve is how to while away these bleak autumnal evenings "