Tonight, we’ll read the first half to “The Adventure of the Six Napoleans” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as part of 1903’s “The Return of Sherlock Holmes”. The second half will air next week.

Tonight’s story revolves around a series of seemingly bizarre and senseless crimes involving the destruction of plaster busts of Napoleon Bonaparte. As Sherlock Holmes investigates, he uncovers a complex plot involving a stolen pearl, a vengeful Italian criminal, and a clever hiding place.

Busts, especially those of famous historical figures like Napolean in this story, were common decorative items in English Victorian and Edwardian homes. They served as a symbol of cultural awareness and intellectual interest. Even though our story is set more than a century after Napoleon died, he was still a major figure who had dominated the political landscape for a significant period of European history.

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