This is what I think happened before Book girl fan's story The Collected Adventures, ch 19.
"Holmes! Do stop playing that retched instrument, and let me sleep!" Watson groaned wearily as Holmes played his violin. Holmes continued playing, apparently not hearing him over the screeching moan of the instrument he was holding.
This event repeated for many nights following, until eventually, Watson decided to do something about it.
He originally tried to confiscate Holmes's violin. But, using his unnaturally good deduction skills, he found it, and continued playing as loud as ever.
So Watson decided he had to do something better. As he was trying to figure out what he would do to stop Holmes, Lestrade came in asking Holmes to help with another case.
Looking to Holmes,Watson saw the usual bothered look on his face, and that gave him an idea. So the next day, after the case was finished, he went down to Scotland Yard, and told them about the situation. Then asked them to annoy Holmes at night when he's trying to sleep. Scotland Yard, of course, gladly took the opportunity.
After Watson left, they started to plan their form of attack. After a while they decided the best, and most effective way would be to say Holmes left something at the Yard that day.
So each night as Holmes was trying to sleep they would go visit, and say he left something behind...
This is what I think happened, but I challenge you to write what you think did. And I strongly invite you to read Book girl fan's The Collected Adventures.