A case of identity

Watson and Holmes are arguing about whether the reality may be stranger than any fiction or not, when a young lady arrives: her fiancé disappeared.

Her name is Mary Sutherland. Her father died a few years ago, leaving her a comfortable annuity. Her mother got married again, with a man much younger (five years older than her daughter), Mr Windibank. Mary still lives with them.

But recently, she went at a ball with her mother, while her step-father was on a business trip, and she met Mr Hosmer Angel. After a short flirt, Mr Angel asked if he could marry her. Mary's mother gave her blessing, and the young woman was happy to accept the proposal. Her bridegroom made her promise that, whatever would happen , she would not betray their engagement in the future and, on the D-day, he disappeared.

This case is disappointing in more than a way. First, because it is rather obvious, and poor Miss Mary appears as really stupid. Second,the conclusion leaves me with a bitter taste : after having lectured the swindler about his cruelty against the young woman, guess what Sherlock decides ?

He will not tell her the truth, because 

If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Persian saying 'There is a danger for him who takes the tiger cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman'.

Thus, Holmes proves to be a as craven and as cruel as the crook himself.