In recent days, a lost manuscript from the files of Dr. Watson has come to my attention. After Watson’s honorable discharge from Her Majesty’s forces he retired to London and, as everyone knows, he became the roommate of an eccentric detective at 221B Baker Street. The new file reveals that on a certain Christmas day while residing there, Watson received a note from a young lady down the street (102A Baker) asking for a Christmas rendezvous. Delighted at the prospect, Watson hastily explained the matter to Sherlock Holmes, showed him the calling card from “Ellie,” and headed out. Just a few minutes later, a crestfallen Watson returned. Sherlock Holmes was seated in his easy chair, smoking from his famously bent calabash pipe. He said, “I expected the round trip would take you a little longer, my friend. No matter, the plum pudding is waiting for you.” This, as it happens, was the first time on that sacred day that the two men had had the leisure for ...