The Man with the Twisted Lip - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story

“...but it is better to learn wisdom late than never to learn it at all.”

― Arthur Conan Doyle

I guessed the outcome of this tale after about half-way. I think most readers will too. The story involves Neville St. Clair, a respectable businessman, who has disappeared. His wife claims she saw him at the upper window of an opium den. When she entered the room, she only found a beggar. St. Clair's clothes are later found in the room. His coat, laden with coins, is discovered in the River Thames outside the window. After the arrest of the beggar for murder, a few days later St. Clair's wife receives a letter from her husband. Holmes investigates, of course. He washes the beggar and finds that is actually St. Clair. He confesses that he has been leading a double life. As a beggar he found the income is large, but promises to stop begging if Holmes will keep his secret from his wife.

Not bad, but then again not the best. A solid three stars.