Dr. John Watson

Holmes, how about it?

Not necessarily.

The floor he's lying on is extremely cold.

Also the air.

Of course, the really fantastic part of the whole picture is the man's raiment.

The tunic and the toga with the wide purple stripe.

Even the thonged sandals are the authentic garments of an early Roman senator.

So I see, so I see.

Whoever this person was, he was thoroughly at home among Roman customs and manners.

That ring of office on his outstretched hand is undoubtedly authentic.

Oh, look here, Holmes.

You don't actually believe this is a genuine Roman senator who got himself drowned in this room and managed somehow to stay in this state of preservation?

No, Watson.

There are several obvious flaws to that theory.

In the first place, although the costume is authentic in line, cut, and drape,

The wooden fabric of this toga was woven not on an ancient hand loom, but by a modern machine.

Second, the liquid in which the gentleman was drowned would have evaporated in a short time, even in very stale air.

And third, this room is neither the frigidarium, which was the cold plunge, nor the caldarium, which was the warm.

No, judging by the recessed benches built into the walls, this room was the suratorium, or what the Romans called the vapor bath.

But of course, Mr. Holmes.