Prompt for the 25th of December From silvermouse - Holmes does not want to hold a Christmas party- until a blood covered gold sovereign is uncovered and a mystery begins... what happens and why?

I cannot understand Watson. Why should he wish to host a party? He must surely know that I dislike the things. Well, I have plenty of objections to voice.

"I can hardly prepare a banquet Watson! Can you?"

"Mrs. Hudson and her team of servants can - and I know well enough that you know how to put an adequate menu together. Besides, this is a party, not a banquet - the Yarders will be more interested in beer."

"That is precisely what I am afraid of."

"Really Holmes! I was not suggesting that we should drink to excess."

"The Scotland Yarders will anyway."

He wags a finger at me. "That is unfair and you know it well enough. They do not spend all of their free time in public houses - no more than we do - this is simply the season for making merry. Besides, those Yarders that are married are much more sensible than they were when you first acquainted me with them - had you failed to notice that there were no medical emergencies last night? Nobody was even sick!"

I was - a few hours after returning home - but I am not accustomed to drinking copious amounts of alcohol. Besides, Watson does not have to know about that.

But this is most unfair! He is ready for my every protestation and argument - he most certainly knows me far too well.

"Very well Doctor. Host your party if you must."

He looks disappointed. "I only decided to do this because I thought that it would... Well... I thought that you might enjoy it. I also thought that it would be nice to thank our friends at the Yard for inviting us to their Christmas party."

"I myself would much prefer to forget their Christmas party."

He sniffs. "Only because you drank too much and started to sing something rather shocking."

"I seem to recall that you were the one doing the singing - in the street, at the top of your lungs. I distinctly remember telling you to be quiet."

"Oh."

"In any case, the less said about last night the better."

He bows his head. "I rather enjoyed it."

Clearly. Oh! Why do I bother? I know that I am going to relent in any case. "Which hall have you booked?"

The hall is a fine one - and not situated above a public house - I have to admit that the fellow has chosen very well indeed.

It is while I am admiring my companion's choice of settings that I discover a gold sovereign in a little puddle of blood at the front of the building, where our guests will arrive. A curious place to find such a thing! Immediately, I begin my examination of the coin, blood and area. It is clear that a crime has recently been committed here - how fitting that there are soon to be so many of Scotland Yard's finest descending upon it! All the same, perhaps I should put them on the scent now, before they receive Watson's invitation and develop a party mood.

"Watson! Come at once - the game is afoot!"