Sinclair explains Turning to the prisoner, Holmes said, 'You should have told your wife the truth, you know. to be ashamed of But I did not want my children to be ashamed of their father," the man replied. "What can I do? You must now show the police that there was no crime. The matter will then go no further. began his"How can I thank you!" he cried, and then When story. "You are the first people to hear my story. One was a young man, I worked for a newspaper. in day my chief asked me to write about beggars London. That was the beginning of my adventures. For it was only by being a beggar myself that I could get the necessary information. Since I had once been an actor, I knew how to disguise my appearance. I painted my face brown, wore orange hair, and poor clothes. I became a beggar in the busiest part of London. In a single day I could earn as much as the newspaper paid me for a week's work. So I decided to give up reporting and spend all my time as a beggar. Holmes. Did anyone know your secret?" asked Only one man," replied Sinclair. 'He was the keeper of an opium house where I changed my disguise each morning and evening. I paid this man well, and knew my secret was safe with him. I was a very successful beggar, and as I became richer I bought a house and married. My dear wife knew that I had some business in London, but no more. Last Monday I had finished my day's begging and. taking off my disguise at the house when I had a great shock. I saw my wife in the street looking up at me. I gave a cry of surprise, and threw to cover my face. Quickly, I jumped back and put on my disguise again. I was afraid that my wife might come in and recognize my ordinary clothes. So I decided t throw them out of the window into the river. At the window I opened a wound I had received that morning. had time to throw only the coat away before my wife and the police entered. Then I was arrested on suspicion of murdering Neville Sinclair. Before the arrest, I had managed to give the attendant a letter for my wife, together with my ring. I told her she had no cause to fear. I wanted to keep my disguise as long as possible. That is why I refused to wash my face. yesterday,' said Holmes. The letter reached her only"Good God!' cried Sinclair. "What a terrible week for her. The attendant must have been slow to post it. "Things must stop here," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to remain quiet about this matter, then there must be no more Hugh Boone. Sinclair. friend, he It shall be so," promised to my"Very well," said Bradstreet. Turning solve this asked, "Tell me, Mr Holmes, how did you problem?" chair and smoking my By sitting in comfortable Watson, let us pipe," he replied with a smile. "Come, return home.