3:30 A.M.
The first faint winter 's dawn was beginning to appear , and we could dimly see the occasional figure of an early workman as he passed us , blurred and indistinct in the opalescent London reek . Holmes nestled in silence into his heavy coat , and I was glad to do the same , for the air was most bitter , and neither of us had broken our fast . It was not until we had consumed some hot tea at the station and taken our places in the Kentish train that we were sufficiently thawed , he to speak and I to listen . Holmes drew a note from his pocket , and read aloud : Abbey Grange , Marsham , Kent , 3:30 A.M. MY DEAR MR. HOLMES : I should be very glad of your immediate assistance in what promises to be a most remarkable case . It is something quite in your line . Except for releasing the lady I will see that everything is kept exactly as I have found it , but I beg you not to lose an instant , as it is difficult to leave Sir Eustace there . Yours faithfully , STANLEY HOPKINS .