Sherlock Holmes and I had just settled down for a glass of something restorative in front of the fire when the sound of expensively shod feet on the 17 stairs leading up to our suite of rooms at 221B Baker Street signalled that we were to have a visitor.

"Mr Catchpole," said Holmes after Mrs Hudson had handed over our guest's card. "Please have a seat. How was your journey from the City this evening? I take it you are here to talk about bonuses?"