noon
`` How many times must I tell you that it is a capital mistake to theorize in advance of the facts ! Keep your shirt on till we get out to the castle , Doc ; and in the meantime _ ich kebibble _ who swiped the cuff-buttons ! '' I knew from long experience that it was useless to argue with him , so I just sat there like a bump on a log for the rest of the morning , wondering why the Sam Hill it was that I still continued to swallow such talk as that , when I knew it was my duty to rise up and paste him one in the eye for his sarcasms . As Holmes and I were sitting down to luncheon at twelve-thirty that noon , and Mrs. Hudson , our old reliable landlady , was placing a fried pork-chop on my plate , we were again startled at hearing a terrific banging at the front door . The rain had died down somewhat , but it was still cloudy and disagreeable outside . In a moment more our own door was thrust open , and another visitor , -- a young man of about thirty , -- butted in on our privacy . `` Oh , I 'm sure I beg your pardon , gentlemen , '' said this guy as he entered , `` but I am Lord Launcelot Dunderhaugh , younger brother of the Earl of Puddingham , whose secretary , Mr. Thorneycroft , was here this morning .