Had an e-mail at last from the baggage handling firm that likes to boast that it treats its customers, passengers and staff with respect which said

Dear Cook

I have been forwarded your email of 21 December below, and whilst I appreciate your frustration I would like to let you know that I did in fact write an acknowledgement to you on the 19 December advising that I will look into the events you describe and reply once I have the information I require. That the letter hadn’t reached you by the 21st is unfortunate, but that is not under my direct control.

I can assure you that I take all complaints such as yours seriously and all are investigated and replied to. I will be back in touch in the next few days.

The question is why when dealing with an irate customer who has e-mailed them a complaint they chose to acknowledge it by posting a letter at Royal Mail's busiest time of year and then blame them for me not receiving it, when they had my e-mail address in the first place.

Now what's happening with this investigation

It was the week before Christmas and wisps of fog were wreathing round the alleys of London. With Mrs Watson being away visiting family in Warwickshire, I had chosen to stay with my old friend and colleague, the famous consulting detective Mr Sherlock Holmes at his apartments in Baker Street. It was growing dark when a solitary Hanson cab pulled up outside, discharged its passenger and a slow heavy footstep was to heard crunching through the snow from the street below.

Lowering his copy of The London Illustrated News and motioning towards the window with the stem of his Church Warden, the great detective exclaimed "Ah Watson that will be our client now. Mrs Hudson the door if you please."

"My God Holmes, how can you tell!" I riposted.

"Well he's an hour late for a start!"