Similar to above but with two less checks.  Holes A, B, C, D, E.  If the holes are not arranged in circle, start with any hole next to the last one and do the following pattern in opposite direction.  E.g. go to hole D, wait for two days if no hermit is there, she is also not in E no need to check that one. Move to C, wait for two days if she is not there, move to B wait for two days and you’ll catch her either in A or B..   (sorry thinking about my ex).

Agree. Needs to be exactly 24 hours not within. In that case, group the barrels into 20 groups containing 12 barrels each. Arrange them into 4 rows x 5 column  matrix (of 12 barrel groups).   Have each slave taste wine from 12 barrels out of every column (5 total) every hour. By the 24th hour (worst case) you’ll know which of the 4 barrels (from each column) is poisoned. Worst case you’ll have 3 slaves left.  Have those 3 drink out of each of the remaining 3 barrels with fourth barrel left out.  Within next 24 hours you’ll know which one for the remaining 4 is poisoned.

Light one rope from both ends. Fold the other rope 4 times and light both ends of that one when the first one is completely burnt.

One of the men is father of one of the women to whom the other men is married to. When the other men says “wife and daughter”, he refers to the same woman (she is his wife and daughter of the father next to him).  When father says “wife and daughter”, that’s his daughter and wife of the man next to him.