"then i have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the subject. turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in their order of time, while i take a glance as to who our client is." he picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of reference beside the mantelpiece. "here he is," said he, sitting down and flattening it out upon his knee. "‘lord robert walsingham de vere st. simon, second son of the duke of balmoral.’ hum! ‘arms: azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. born in 1846.’ he’s forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. was under-secretary for the colonies in a late administration. the duke, his father, was at one time secretary for foreign affairs. they inherit plantagenet blood by direct descent, and tudor on the distaff side. ha! well, there is nothing very instructive in all this. i think that i must turn to you watson, for something more solid."