A/N: I own nothing at all in this story except the plot.hehe. I hope you like it!

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Chapter 2

We awoke promptly at five thirty. We passed the hours with idle chat ranging from Mozart to minced liver casserole until the loud bugle calls that signalled the approach of Her Majesty the Queen of Britain sounded.

"Ah, Watson! Time to begin the ceremonies. Follow the crowd!"

We left and found the courtyard a completely different place. Elegant wooden chairs adorned the lawn, and a stone stage had been set up opposite the audience. They began seating the honoured guests immediately upon our arrival. We were seated near the centre aisle, about a dozen or so rows back.

As soon as dusk approached, the bugles sounded again and Her Majesty appeared as the anthem played. Words could not begin to describe her appearance. She was clothed in shimmering brocade and ornate gold that complemented her appearance despite her age. She approached the podium and gave her speech. It left me dumbfounded that such an elegant woman could also be so intelligent.

At the conclusion of her speech, yet more bugles signalled a magnificent fireworks display that was the end of the first part of the ceremony.

"Ah, Stannous sulphate! Magnesium bromide!" Holmes insisted upon listing the elements in each grand explosion.

Suddenly, with a brilliant flash and a thunderous roar, the remainder of the fireworks exploded. Not in the sky, but on the ground behind the stage! The audience scattered, and cries filled the air.

"How untimely! Just after the potassium sulphide." The guards began ushering everyone out.

It was simply an unusually unfortunate mishap. We thought nothing of it until the following morning, when a telegram arrived. It ran as such:

Sherlock-

The agency needs your help Stop

Come to palace at noon Stop

Your assistance will be appreciated Stop

1.1 Lestrade

"A police matter? Interesting. It's almost noon, Watson. We'd better be off!" And with that, a hansom swept us off to Buckingham Palace for perhaps one of the most exciting adventures of our time.

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Hmmm, that was short. Oh, well! What did u think? Reviews, please!