Caroline Luard: The Seal Chart Murder #39

On the afternoon of August 24, 1908, Caroline Mary Luard and her husband seventy-year-old Charles decided to go for a leisurely stroll with their dog Sergeant in the couple's home village of Ihtsham. Caroline was expecting the company of her friend Mrs Mary Stewart later that afternoon at around 4 pm so a mile from home she parted with her husband and made her return through the woodland.

Charles had his own errand to attend to. The couple were due to be taking a holiday in the coming days and Charles wished to play some golf whilst away, so he headed to the Godden Street Golf Club to collect his clubs. When Charles arrived back home at around 4: 25 pm he was surprised to see Mary Stewart but no sign of his wife.

Mary informed Charles that Caroline had yet to arrive for their planned tea but just assumed she had been held up somewhere. Charles had his reservations on the idea as he knew Caroline had set off home around two hours earlier but the pair sat and waited for another five minutes as they enjoyed a cup of English tea

At this point Charles suggested that they head out to meet her or “rescue her” from a nearby chatterbox neighbour who they had now presumed had held up Caroline’s return. The pair walked through Frank field Park together for around twenty minutes at which point Mary Stewart informed Charles she needed to be home by 6 pm as she herself had guest due. Mary told Charles to let Caroline know she would visit the next day and the two parted company

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