A mystery not even Sherlock could solve

For years now, this group of ardent Sherlockians has been getting together on the first Thursday of every second month at the Westmount Library and enjoying an evening of Holmes-related activities and discussions about mysteries and detection. And naturally, many friendships have been formed through their mutual interest in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tales of the unbeatable British consulting detective.

"The society is about camaraderie and friendship,” said David Dowse, one of the society’s founders. He also pointed out that the society gives members time to relax and enjoy themselves. “It is one of the things that one does only for pleasure,” he said.

Prospective member Amy Shulman agrees. She has so far attended two consecutive meetings. “I’ve never been in a group like this," she said. "The atmosphere is just great. Everything I do is so serious, and this is so much fun. It is just about getting together with people.”

The society has charmed her, and she is thinking about joining as a permanent member.

For members of this society, Holmes and Dr. Watson are much more than fictional characters, and Conan Doyle is their scribe.

Part of each regular meeting is the Holmes quiz; members have an assigned reading prior to the meeting and take a quiz based on that story. This month's story was The Adventure of the Creeping Man.

Every meeting, an attendance sheet is passed, and members take pride in a flawless attendance record — and this is where our mystery begins.

David Kellett has not missed a meeting for five years, or has he? Certain witnesses might swear that, due to events beyond his control, Kellett missed the Aug. 2 meeting. Nevertheless, members of the society swear that Kellett did attend, and the attendance sheet clearly shows that he was there. The record shows that he even wrote a toast!

“Our friend David Kellett is here tonight and this is his chair,” said Wilfrid de Freitas holding a photo of Kellett.

“I want to pass a motion suggesting that David Kellett is here tonight. He has come for five years and he is here tonight,” said Patrick Campbell.

All the members of the society agreed to pass the motion, in a show that revealed solidarity and kinship. Later in the meeting, members listened to the toast written by Kellett.

It seems as though the society has unlocked yet another mystery: the mystery of friendship and companionship. To join the society and solve a mystery in the company of these friendly Holmes lovers you can go to bimetallicquestion.org