The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax.
The case begins Saturday, July 26, 1902.
Why?
ONE EXCELLENT QUESTION FROM HOLMES:
"Why the relaxing and expensive Turkish rather than the invigorating home-made article?"
"Why the relaxing and expensive Turkish rather than the invigorating home-made article?"
AND AN EXCELLENT ANSWER FROM WATSON:
"Because for the last few days I have been feeling rheumatic and old. A Turkish bath is what we call an alterative in medicine — a fresh starting-point, a cleanser of the system."
"Because for the last few days I have been feeling rheumatic and old. A Turkish bath is what we call an alterative in medicine — a fresh starting-point, a cleanser of the system."
ANOTHER EXCELLENT QUESTION FROM HOLMES:
"You say that you have had it because you need a change. Let me suggest that you take one. How would Lausanne do, my dear Watson — first-class tickets and all expenses paid on a princely scale?"
"You say that you have had it because you need a change. Let me suggest that you take one. How would Lausanne do, my dear Watson — first-class tickets and all expenses paid on a princely scale?"
WATSON’S TRIP BEGINS:
"Two days later found me at the Hotel National at Lausanne, where I received every courtesy at the hands of M. Moser, the well-known manager."
"Two days later found me at the Hotel National at Lausanne, where I received every courtesy at the hands of M. Moser, the well-known manager."
GREEN’S TIME ON THE JOB IN LONDON:
"For two days the Hon. Philip Green (he was, I may mention, the son of the famous admiral of that name who commanded the Sea of Azof fleet in the Crimean War) brought us no news."
"For two days the Hon. Philip Green (he was, I may mention, the son of the famous admiral of that name who commanded the Sea of Azof fleet in the Crimean War) brought us no news."
LIFESPAN OF AN OLD NURSE:
"We brought her round here, called in Dr. Horsom, of 13 Firbank Villas — mind you take the address, Mr. Holmes — and had her carefully tended, as Christian folk should. On the third day she died . . ."
"We brought her round here, called in Dr. Horsom, of 13 Firbank Villas — mind you take the address, Mr. Holmes — and had her carefully tended, as Christian folk should. On the third day she died . . ."
WHAT THE BARING-GOULD ANNOTATED SAYS:
July 1, 1902.
July 1, 1902.
WHAT ZEISLER, THE KING OF CHRONOLOGY, SAYS:
August 1895 or 1897-1901.
August 1895 or 1897-1901.
THE BIRLSTONE RAILWAY TIMETABLE:
The hard chronological evidence in "Lady France Carfax" is scant indeed: No years. No months. No days of the week. What we do get, however, is a Watson living at Baker Street who feels old and in need of a change. We also have a Holmes who wants to know why anyone would favor a Turkish bath to the convenience and efficiency of the homemade article. Is that enough evidence to fix a date for this case? It just might be.
The hard chronological evidence in "Lady France Carfax" is scant indeed: No years. No months. No days of the week. What we do get, however, is a Watson living at Baker Street who feels old and in need of a change. We also have a Holmes who wants to know why anyone would favor a Turkish bath to the convenience and efficiency of the homemade article. Is that enough evidence to fix a date for this case? It just might be.
September 3 of 1902, we find Holmes and Watson enjoying a Turkish bath at a time when Watson has moved out to his own rooms in Queen Anne Street, in "Illustrious Client." Holmes has obviously been intrigued by Watson’s earlier recommendation. In June of that same year, Holmes refuses a knighthood and Watson gets shot in the leg by Killer Evans. It’s the kind of thing that gets you thinking, "I’m too old for this business," and I’d wager that in July of 1902, that’s exactly what Watson was thinking. It was time for a "fresh starting point."
Holmes, on the other hand, probably feeling more than a little guilt for getting Watson shot. And what would please Watson more than a first-class trip to Europe and the chance to rescue a damsel in distress?
Giving Watson’s wound a bit of time to heal, taking Saturday as the day Watson might pick for a thoroughly cleansing bath prior to a big night on the town, and considering Monday as a natural day for arriving in Lausanne to begin an investigation, I’d have to place this case on Saturday, July 26, 1902.
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