The Adventure of the Extra Baby (1914)

One moment while on his customary walk in the park, Octavius was confronted by the tragic spectacle of a mother who had lost her child. Mrs. Brown, explained that her little darling had wandered off while her back was turned for a moment's gossip. His sympathies and detective instincts alike aroused, Octavius immediately set forth on the search. The only data with which the bereaved parent was able to furnish him was the fact that her precious pet was clothed in a white sweater and leggings. Oddly enough, there were many children in the park that morning who were clad in white sweaters and leggings. Each time Octavius encountered one he slyly appropriated it and carried it to Mrs. Brown, but without rousing that lady from her gloom. At last the prodigal lamb returned of his own accord. The grateful mother snatched him up with loud cries of delight and departed hastily. Octavius was left on the bench with an assorted variety of white-sweatered children. He was not left long. An outraged army of nursemaids and mothers descended upon him in wrath and claimed their own with many threats of vengeance. After all the furor was over, Octavius was leaving when he suddenly discovered that one baby remained on the bench beside him. Octavius was in a fix. It was getting late. He could not very well leave the child on the bench and his pride forbade him to inform the police. So he took the baby home. The next morning, after a strenuous afternoon and evening with the baby, the delighted Octavius discovered an advertisement in the newspaper offering a large reward for the return of the Van Allen baby. Octavius took the child to the address, gently called the Van Allens' attention to his marvelous detective ability, and refused the reward. Out of gratitude, Mrs. Van Allen's beautiful sister invited the detective to dinner the following night. Octavius thought he had made quite a hit, but his delight was nipped in the bud when, just before dinner, the girl introduced him to Mr. Douglas, her fiancé.

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Summary Details
Running Time11 min
GenresComedy Mystery Short