December 4: "Crimes are being committed by a Father Christmas look-alike. Holmes takes the case to prove a point." (from Wordwielder)

Watson

Third one this week! I thought, and must have said it aloud because Holmes gave me a questioning glance from his chemistry set across the room. I set down the newspaper I had been reading upon the table, next to my empty breakfast dishes.

"There's been another house robbery," I explained, "by someone reportedly having a large white beard, and dressed in all red and white fur. The press is describing him as Father Christmas's Evil Twin."

Holmes gave a snort. "How lurid of them. And there have now been three this week?"

"Yes," I replied, and shook my head sadly. "Quite besides those who suffered from having their possessions stolen, I feel for the poor children who witnessed the break-ins occurring. During all three crimes, the only witnesses were children under the age of six. It's a bad business."

"It is most unfortunate," said Holmes, rising from his chair and beginning to pace across the sitting room, "that those children have been laboring under the delusion that there is a benevolent, jolly Father Christmas with a white beard and the large read coat, that is going to come to their house in the dead of night and give presents to the good little children. No, Watson, I do not wish to argue over this again; we have done so for many years now. But mark my words; those children will be the better for being disillusioned."

I shook my head. "I really cannot believe that is a benefit to them."

"Perhaps we should speak to the children ourselves before drawing conclusions," said Holmes. I really could not tell if he was joking or not. "Tell me Watson, who is handling this case?"

"I believe speaking to the children would only prove that you are wrong… "I skimmed through the article once more. "Ah! Here it is—'The case is in the capable hands of Inspector Lestrade, and it is expected that he will have unraveled this mystery and captured the culprit within days'."

"Hm," said Holmes, ceasing his pacing and taking a seat near the window.

"Do you suppose he will consult us?" I asked Holmes.

The detective's back was to me as he looked out the window onto the street below. "Yes, I believe so."

"How soon?" I asked.

Holmes turned to me and gave little twitch of a smile. "Oh, in approximately thirty seconds."

A moment later, Mrs. Hudson was showing a very haggard-looking Lestrade into our sitting room.

Holmes rubbed his hands together and cast me a very satisfied glance. "I'll take the case."