Do You Believe in Santa, Holmes?

Hmm, interesting that you should ask Watson.  This is no more difficult to solve than finding my way to my slippers.  There are logical methods to deduce either that he exists or that he does not exist,  and both have merit.  This however renders that line of reasoning less than adequate for a useful conclusion, if not a definitive one.  Moriarty, I believe, has expressed an extremely skeptical bent toward the existence of the Honorable Claus, and I've yet to decipher his hidden motivation in the cause, for it is atypical of him to participate to any degree in behavior brushing against a belief. of any kind.  Inspector Le Strade, on the other hand holds to the affirmative side of the query, and though as a matter of course I would give no credence to the machinations of his mind, in this case let us consider that having maintained service as a detective for so many years, given his lack of fundamental skills or imagination, weight must be added to his claim for the Santa fellow.  Only some kind and generous benefactor would explain his continued employment.  If so inclined I could pursue this case to its conclusion but I infer that ending the narrative at this juncture would not "rain on anyone's parade", so to speak.  More importantly, I do not wish to continue and risk precluding the appearance of a new meerschaum and a pleasant blend of shag under the tree on 25-12..