When Did You See Her Last?
When Did You See Her Last? represents the second book in the All the Wrong Questions collection by Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler), serving as a prequel to A Series of Unfortunate Events. This installment follows Snicket's continued inquiries in Stain'd-by-the-Sea, accompanied by his guardian, S. Theodora Markson.
Plot
Following reports from maids Zada and Zora regarding Cleo Knight’s disappearance, S. Theodora Markson and Lemony Snicket are called to the Knight residence. Cleo’s parents appear disoriented, influenced by laudanum administered by their physician, Dr. Flammarion. Within Cleo’s chamber, Lemony uncovers an unsuccessful attempt at using invisible ink.
While returning, Lemony notices Cleo’s vehicle, a Dilemma, with a tire flattened by a hypodermic needle. Upon questioning witnesses, Polly Partial asserts she saw Cleo purchasing breakfast before departing in a Bellerophon taxi bound for the circus; meanwhile, Jake Hix claims Cleo left Hungry's in her Dilemma at the same time. Due to Polly’s impaired vision, Lemony dismisses her statement.
At the library alongside Moxie, Lemony investigates invisible ink and Colonel Colophon, a celebrated local war veteran who operates a clinic. He parts ways with Moxie after observing a woman returning books formerly borrowed by Hangfire. Pursuing her leads Lemony to Ellington Feint at an abandoned aquarium; Ellington has been masquerading as Cleo and developing invisible ink on behalf of Hangfire. Lemony engineers a distraction enabling their getaway, although Ellington is apprehended.
At the Colophon Clinic, Lemony confronts an individual impersonating Colonel Colophon—actually Hangfire—who escapes by leaping out a window. Together with Jake, Lemony locates Cleo in a basement; Dr. Flammarion and the woman Lemony trailed are detained by the Mitchums. Moxie is discovered stabbed by this woman but recovers after treatment from Cleo.
In the final chapter, Lemony encounters a young Captain Widdershins and discovers that Young Kit has been taken into custody—Widdershins later appears as an adult in The Grim Grotto.