December 17: "That confounded deerstalker" (from Domina Temporis)

Holmes

"Sir!" called a clear tenor voice from behind us. Watson and I turned round. A young man jogged towards us from the train seat we had just abandoned, my deerstalker cap in hand. "I believe you dropped this." He handed it to me.

"Yes, I must have," I said, making only a slight effort to disguise my exasperation, but taking the article from him nonetheless. Ignoring Watson's suspicious glance, we disembarked the train.

A couple hours later found us in the office of Inspector Lestrade, discussing a current case, when young Inspector Hopkins stepped cautiously into the room.

"Um, Mr. Holmes," said he, "I believe you must have dropped this in my trash bin." He handed me the confounded hat. "Ah, thank you, Hopkins," I said with a very forced smile. Ignoring both Lestrade and Watson's suspicious expressions, I plunged back into our previous inquiries.

That evening, Watson and I were once again home in Baker Street.

"Mr. Holmes!" exclaimed Mrs. Hudson, marching into the room, my deerstalker in hand. "What the deuce is your headwear doing in my fireplace?"

"I haven't the faintest notion," I growled, snatching the blasted hat out of her hand and throwing it across the room. My landlady shot me a reproachful glance and swept from the room.

Watson raised an eyebrow. "I get the distinct impression you don't much care for that particular hat," said he.

"Congratulations," I said icily. "Soon your detective skills shall surpass even my own."

Watson gave an irritated sigh, and opened his mouth—no doubt to justify why I ought to be wearing the wretched hat—but before he could say a word, we were interrupted by the arrival of a very breathless Inspector Lestrade.

"New developments," Lestrade gasped. "I've got a cab waiting. Grab your hats, gentlemen, and we must be off!" He retreated as quickly as he had come.

Watson and I exchanged excited glances, and leaped to our feet. I reached for my black top hat, but was stopped by my insufferable biographer.

"This one," said Watson, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

I stared in exasperation at the proffered deerstalker hat. "Why?"

"You're Sherlock Holmes," said he, "wear the damn hat!"

A/N: Not sure that last was entirely in character, but I just couldn't resist the urge to reference that trailer for the BBC Sherlock Christmas Special! I'm way too excited for it! :D