New Book - A Case of Identity - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 3 - by Arthur Conan Doyle

 

First Published:  September 1, 1891

RATING: GOOD

SPOILERS!!!

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson receive the visit of Mary Sutherland. The woman tells Holmes that she wants to find a man called Hosmer Angel. She says that she is not rich but she has an allowance of a hundred pounds a year, which is enough, but she also gets some money from typing. Her mother married a younger man, Mr Windibank, fifteen years her senior, and as Mary lives with them, she gives them her money. She met Hosmer Angel at a party. Her stepfather didn't like her going out, but she was determined to have some enjoyment. So when he was away on business, she and her mother went to party, and that is when she met the man. They started seeing each other, and became engaged. Her stepfather disapproved, but they used his absence when he was away to meet. Then he said that they should marry and her mother told her that she should follow her heart, and she would talk to her husband. The two women went in a carriage to church, and Hosmer Angel went in another. When they reached the church and the second carriage arrived, Hosmer was not inside and the driver had no idea where he was. Mary tells Holmes that before departing for church, Hosmer made her promise to be truthful to him despite everything. Holmes makes her describe the man, and Mary says that he was strongly-built, with a whiskers and sideburns, and he tended to wear tinted glasses. 

Holmes tells Mary that he has to confirm a few things but he is certain that she will never see him again, but Mary says that she will remain loyal. Then Sherlock summons the woman's stepfather, and he reveals that he knows the truth. Hosmer was the stepfather in disguise and all he intended is for the girl to forget marriage because he wanted to keep getting the money that Mary gave. He used his wife for that purpose. Mr Windibank says that what he did is not illegal, and Sherlock agrees but he threatens to whip him and the man runs out of Holmes's rooms. When Dr Watson asks him if he will tell Mary, he says that he will but he is certain that Mary won't believe him as she will keep loyal to her romantic notions.