The 24th Annual Silver Blaze Sweepstakes will take place  Saturday the 20​th​ day of July 2019  at  1:00 o’clock in the afternoon  at the  South Surrey Country Estates of Dame Johnston-Keddis

Come for an event-full afternoon of high stakes betting, games and prizes.   For your dining pleasure High Tea will take place on the Manor House Terraces.   The theme this year is Hats and Ascots.  Reserve your Grandstand seats now. Petrels are urged to RSVP so that the staff will  be able to set up adequately for the large flock.

Please bring a hearty potluck dish and a bit of snack food for the hungry Petrels who  come from far and wide. The BBQ will be set up for those who’d like to char a little  something for themselves, and Cook will be on hand to assist.   Sherry, ale and other delightful libations are welcome.

The Gamekeeper requests that you keep your dog on a leash so as not to disturb   the chickens.   The Silver Blaze Races, Saturday July 20th  1:00 PM.

Directions to the Estate will be sent separately.

“His Last Bow”

This case was first published in both the Strand Magazine (England) and Collier’s (US) in September 1917.

The story was subtitled “The War Service of Sherlock Holmes” when published in magazines, but subtitled “An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes” when it appeared in book form. (From Christopher Redmond’s “A Sherlock Holmes Handbook”.

Set in August 1914, on the eve of WWI, it is a story of international espionage, narrated in the third person.  It was “The most terrible August in the history of the world.”

Who was the Irish-American agent Altamont?  Described as: “…. a tall, gaunt man of sixty, with clear-cut features and a small goatee beard which gave him a general resemblance to the caricatures of Uncle Sam.”

Do you believe the housekeeper Martha was actually Mrs. Hudson?  Described as:  “…dear old ruddy-faced woman in a country cap.” Also “She might almost personify Britannia.”

Who was the chauffeur who drove Altamont?  Described as “…a heavily-built, elderly man with a gray moustache.”

Please join us at our meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. 

• Please note that we will meet at 6:30 for refreshments and fellowship with the study session beginning at 7:00. (We will still have a brief intermission to recharge our mugs)

Where:  Our usual Hampton Place lounge, UBC (Wesbrook Mall/ West 16th)

Bonus Question for those attending the meeting: (fill in the blank)

“Von Bork undid a winding of string and two wrappers.  Then he sat gazing for a moment in silent amazement at a small blue book which lay before him.  Across the cover was printer in golden letters “_____________ ______________ of ____ _____________”

Please contact Fran at:  franziskah@shaw.ca if you would like more information.