* * * * * Punch, or the London Charivari Volume 105, December 23, 1893. _edited by Sir Francis Burnand_ * * * * * THE ADVENTURES OF PICKLOCK HOLES. (_By Cunnin Toil._) No. VII.--THE STOLEN MARCH. I think I have already mentioned in the course of the articles which I have consecrated to the life and exploits of PICKLOCK HOLES that this extraordinary man was unmarried. There was some mystery about certain love-making episodes in the early stages of his career which nothing could induce him to talk about. If I ever chanced to mention the subject of matrimony in his presence, a hard, metallic look came over his features, and his lips closed with the tightness and vehemence of a pair of handcuffs. Naturally, I was not encouraged by these symptoms to pursue the matter. However, from what I have since been able to glean from other sources, I think I am justified in saying that HOLES was at one time, while quite a young man, engaged to the daughter of an eminent church dignitary, a charming girl who united good looks to a comfortable balance at her bankers. One morning, however, HOLES, whose mind was constantly occupied in the solution of deep and complex psychological problems, suddenly startled Miss BELLASYS by informing her that from certain indications he had concluded that she had two large moles on the upper portion of her left shoulder-blade. It was in vain that the unfortunate girl protested with tears in her eyes that she was ignorant of this disfigurement; that, as a matter of fact, she had the best reason for believing that no such moles existed, and that, if they did, it was not her fault, but must be due to a momentary oversight on the part of her nurse, a woman of excellent character and sound church principles. HOLES was, as usual, inexorable. [Illustration] "My dearest ANNABELLA," he observed, "I am never mistaken. Within the last ten minutes while I have been discussing with you my new theory of clues I have noticed your left eye--the right I cannot see--slowly close twice, while at the same moment your head drooped on to your left shoulder. Thus you were twice blind on the left side. Moles, as we learn, not merely from books on natural history, but from our own observation, are blind. You have, therefore, two moles on your left shoulder. The fact is indisputable." Terrified by this convincing demonstration, poor Miss BELLASYS released the great detective from his engagement, and retired shortly afterwards from the world to enrol herself in the ranks of a nursing sisterhood.