Perplexity

Mixed doubles:

The following sentence hides three words with a common theme:

Idea glowed: count thin

gentlemen, Ken.

To find the answers, simply arrange the words into three pairs, then rearrange the letters within each pair. A copy of the new Larousse Desk Reference Encyclopedia will be awarded to the first correct answer opened on 15 Feb. Entries to: Saturday Pastimes, the Independent, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DL.

20 January competition:

The lost words were Cricket, (nocturnal insect makes sport), Test (Trial or assessment) and Matches (These may catch fire if struck).

Winner: Dorothy Quayle