“Mr. Carden asked Mr. Keen if he (Mr. Keen) knew who he (Mr. Carden) was.  Mr. Keen replied that everybody knew Mr. Carden, the celebrated painter and illustrator who had created the popular type of beauty known as the ‘Carden Girl.’  Mr. Carden blushed and fidgeted. (Notes from.  Mr. Keen’s Observation Book, pp. 291-297.) Admitted that he was the creator of the ‘Carden Girl.’  Admitted he had drawn and painted that particular type of feminine beauty many times.  Fidgeted some more. (Keen’s O.B., pp. 298-299.) Volunteered the statement that this type of beauty, known as the ‘Carden Girl,’ was the cause of great unhappiness to himself.  Questioned, turned pinker and fidgeted. (K.O.B., page 300.) Denied that his present trouble was caused by the model who had posed for the ‘Carden Girl.’  Explained that a number of assorted models had posed for that type of beauty.  Further explained that none of them resembled the type; that the type was his own creation; that he used models merely for the anatomy, and that he always idealized form and features.

“Questioned again, admitted that the features of the ‘Carden Girl’ were his ideal of the highest and loveliest type of feminine beauty.  Did not deny that he had fallen in love with his own creation.  Turned red and tried to smoke. (K.O.B., page 303.) Admitted he had been fascinated himself with his own rendering of a type of beauty which he had never seen anywhere except as rendered by his own pencil on paper or on canvas.  Fidgeted. (K.O.B., page 304.) Admitted that he could easily fall in love with a woman who resembled the ‘Carden Girl.’  Didn’t believe she ever really existed.  Confessed he had hoped for years to encounter her, but had begun to despair.  Admitted that he had ventured to think that Mr. Keen might trace such a girl for him.  Doubted Mr. Keen’s success.  Fidgeted (K.O.B., page 306), and asked Mr. Keen to take the case.  Promised to send to Mr. Keen a painting in oil which embodied his loftiest ideal of the type known as the ‘Carden Girl.’ (Portrait received; lithographs made and distributed to our agents according to routine, from Canada to Mexico and from the Atlantic to the Pacific.)

“Mr. Keen terminated the interview with characteristic tact, accepting the case on the contingent fee of $5,000.”

“Very well,” said the Tracer, as Miss Smith rolled up the scroll and looked at him for further instructions.  “Now, perhaps you had better run over the short summary of proceedings to date.  I mean the digest which you will find attached to the completed records.”

Miss Smith found the paper, unrolled it, and read: 

“During the twelve months’ investigation and search (in re Carden) seven hundred and nine young women were discovered who resembled very closely the type sought for.  By process of elimination, owing to defects in figure, features, speech, breeding, etc., etc., this list was cut down to three.  One of these occasionally chewed gum, but otherwise resembled the type.  The second married before the investigation of her habits could be completed.  The third is apparently a flawless replica of Mr. Carden’s original in face, figure, breeding, education, moral and mental habits. (See Document 23, A.)”