: A woman disappears after a marriage ceremony. The husband, one of the most distinguished people in the country, turns to Sherlock Holmes for help, who finds out that the newlywed already had a husband.
Sherlock Holmes seeks help from Lord St. Simon. A year ago, traveling around the USA, the lord met a charming girl, Miss Hetty Doran, the daughter of the richest gold owner on the entire Pacific coast and the owner of a stormy character. The girl came to London, and they got engaged. Before the wedding, Hetty was in an excellent mood, making plans for their life together. She was in the same mood at the wedding ceremony. Coming back from the altar, the newlywed dropped a bouquet near the front bench, and some man, far from the circle of Lord St. Simon, gave it to her.
Lord St. Simon was scandalized by his former passion, the dancer Flora Miller, who wrote him threatening letters, learning about the upcoming wedding. Anticipating this, the lord put policemen near the house.
Returning home in a not so good mood, Hetty immediately began to tell something to her maid, who came with her from America. The Lord only heard the words "capture of another's plot." Then she went to the dining room, not wanting to take her husband's arm.After sitting for about ten minutes, she got up and left, no one else saw her. The maid said that Hetty threw a travel coat right on her wedding dress, put on a hat and left the house. There Flora met her. The police decided that Flora had set up a trap for Hattie and arrested her, but the dancer denied everything.
The Lord leaves, leaving the great detective to reflect on his problem, but then Inspector Leistred appears. In the pond was found a bag with the clothes of Lady St. Simon. A note was found in the pocket of the dress stating that Hetty should leave immediately. Instead of the signature were the initials F.H.M. The inspector has no doubt that Flora wrote this. But Holmes examines the other side of the piece of paper, which turns out to be a piece of the bill from an expensive hotel.
Holmes goes away on business, and soon a messenger appears who brings a sumptuous dinner. Holmes and Lord St. Simon come for him. A young couple also appears - Mr. and Mrs. Moulton. Mrs. Moulton runs up to Lord St. Simon and apologizes to him.
Hetty and Frank Moulton met at the mines and fell in love. Hetty's father attacked the gold mine and became rich, and the Frank plot did not give any income. Hetty's father did not want to hear about such a marriage. Then Frank decided to leave in search of happiness, but before leaving, he and Hetty secretly got married. Some time later, Hetty received news of the death of Frank. The girl got sick from grief. Then she met Lord St. Simon and decided to marry him, although she continued to love Frank.She walked to the altar with the firm intention to fulfill her duty, but then she saw Frank in the church. Raising the bouquet, he handed her a note. Improving the moment, Hetty escaped. On the street, a woman approached her and began to say something about the past of the lord, but she did not even listen to her and got into the crew. The couple expected to leave, but Holmes, who found them, said that doing so was not good.
The guests leave, and the great detective explains the course of his reasoning. The bride went to the crown voluntarily, but immediately after the wedding she repented. What happened? It is clear that a man was involved, especially since someone handed her a bouquet. Seeing the expense of an expensive hotel, Holmes simply found a guest with the initials familiar from the note.
