A Case of Identity – a Sherlock Holmes short story

A Case of Identity by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle                                                        a Sherlock Holmes short story

A Case of Identity is part of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes collection and Holmes’ 12^thcase.

This is a pretty short story, and eh…not terribly exciting. There is no crime even, just a missing groom who left the bride at the altar.

It’s a little creepy too because the groom – SPOILER ALERT – is the bride’s step-father incognito. Mom is still living by the way. I KNOW! Creepy, right? It’s all a rather absurd plot, to keep his step-daughter, from marrying.

Why? One spoiler is enough. But step-dad knows the young lady is by all worldly standards a nice catch, and is bound to be caught soon. So, he woos her, leaves her, and hopes she will spend the rest of her days pining for her lost love.

Holmes of course solves it all quite easily, and when he confronts the scoundrel – the scoundrel chides Holmes asserting that he has done nothing actionable by the law. Holmes shows a bit of his gallantry though…

“The law cannot, as you say, touch you,” said Holmes, unlocking and throwing open the door, “yet there never was a man who deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a friend he ought to lay a whip across your shoulder. By Jove!” he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the man’s face, “it is not part of my duties to my client, but here’s a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat myself to…”

Bet you want to read it now huh? 

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