Podcast Summary: Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

Episode: The Adventure of the Six Napoleons: Part Two
Host & Narrator: Hugh Bonneville (as Sherlock Holmes)
Producer: NOISER
Date: December 11, 2025

Overview

In this dramatic conclusion to "The Adventure of the Six Napoleons," Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, joined by Inspector Lestrade, untangle the mystery behind a bizarre spree of shattered Napoleon busts across London—a case that escalates from vandalism to murder. Holmes’s investigation uncovers a tangled web involving a fugitive Italian craftsman, connections to the Mafia, and, ultimately, a priceless missing jewel. The episode showcases Holmes’s deductive prowess, leading listeners through suspenseful stakeouts, colorful London locales, and a final revelatory showdown.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reopening the Trail: Investigating the Busts

• Holmes and Watson set out to trace the origin of the Napoleon busts (02:17)

  • Visit Harding Brothers shop—assistant is new and unhelpful.
  • Holmes posits the busts’ origin may provide a crucial clue.

• Call on Morse Hudson, original vendor of the smashed busts (03:09)

  • Morse Hudson rails against the vandalism, suspects anarchists: "A nihilist plot that, that's what I make it. No one but an anarchist would go about breaking statues. Red Republicans, that's what I call them." (Morse Hudson, 03:19)
  • Confirms he hired an Italian handyman, Beppo, who left shortly before the incidents.

• Proceed to Gelder & Co., manufacturer of the six busts (05:00)

  • The manager recalls Beppo, who had "knifed another Italian in the street" (07:15).
  • Beppo was arrested two days before the busts were sold; the six in question were split between Morse Hudson and Harding Brothers.

2. Investigative Developments: The Nature of the Crime

• Holmes and Watson lunch while reading about the case in the papers, noting media sensationalism and the public’s assumption it’s the work of a madman:

  • "It is satisfactory to know that there can be no difference of opinion upon this case since... Holmes... and Lestrade... have each come to the conclusion ...arise from lunacy rather than from deliberate crime." (Holmes reading, 08:44)
  • Holmes appreciates how he can use the press strategically.

• At Harding Brothers, the pair tracks down the final two customers of the busts: Josiah Brown (Chiswick) and Mr. Sandeford (Reading) (10:45).

3. Lestrade’s Mafia Theory vs. Holmes’s Secret Agenda

• At Baker Street, Lestrade reveals he’s identified the murdered man as Pietro Venucci, a notorious Neapolitan associate of the Mafia (12:15).

  • Suggests the violence is Mafia-related vengeance gone wrong.
  • Holmes applauds Lestrade’s theory but subtly redirects attention:
    • "Excellent, Lestrade, excellent... But I didn't quite follow your explanation of the destruction of the busts." (13:46)

• Holmes manipulates events behind the scenes:

  • He inserts misleading details into the press and prepares for a nocturnal stakeout.

4. The Stakeout and Capture

• The late-night vigil at Josiah Brown’s house in Chiswick (17:08–18:33)

  • Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade hide outside the house, awaiting the suspect.
  • A "lithe, dark figure as swift and active as an ape" (18:15) breaks in.
  • The suspect steals a bust and smashes it outside—the trio pounce and arrest him, confirming he is Beppo, the craftsman.

• Crucial moment: Holmes inspects the shattered bust but finds nothing within it (20:10).

5. Breakthrough and Climax: The Final Bust

• At the police station, Beppo refuses to confess, but police reveal his history as a skilled sculptor linked to every phase of the case (22:00).

• Mr. Sandeford from Reading appears with the last surviving bust (25:01)

  • Holmes purchases it for ten pounds and smashes it open in front of Lestrade and Watson.
  • Triumphant Reveal: "Gentlemen, let me introduce you to the famous black pearl of the Borgias." (Holmes, 27:33)

• Holmes reconstructs the crime:

  • The infamous Borgia Pearl was stolen—likely passed via Beppo and the Venucci siblings.
  • Beppo, being pursued, concealed the pearl inside a wet bust he helped make at Gelder & Co. before his arrest (28:43–32:55).
  • Following his release, he tracks each bust, destroys them trying to find the hidden pearl, and is ultimately caught in the act.

6. Resolution and Epilogue

• Holmes describes the entire chain of reasoning, tying together the scattered clues.

  • Praised by Lestrade: "We're not jealous of you at Scotland Yard. No sir, we are very proud of you." (33:54)

• Holmes, characteristically reserved, is visibly affected by the praise: "It was at such moments that for an instant he ceased to be a reasoning machine and betrayed his human love for admiration and applause." (Watson, 28:00)

• Holmes instructs Watson to store the pearl and prepare for their next case (34:43).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Morse Hudson on the bust breakage:

  "A nihilist plot that, that's what I make it. No one but an anarchist would go about breaking statues."
  – Morse Hudson, 03:19

• Gelder & Co. manager upon seeing Beppo’s photograph:

  "Ah, the rascal... He knifed another Italian in the street and then he came to the works with the police on his heels and he was taken here."
  – Manager, 07:15

• Holmes on the value of the press:

  "The press, Watson, is a most valuable institution if you only know how to use it."
  – Holmes, 09:17

• Lestrade, convinced it's a Mafia case:

  "This dead man... is Pietro Vanucci from Naples and he is one of the greatest cutthroats in London. He is connected with the Mafia."
  – Lestrade, 12:47

• Holmes exposing the ruse:

  "Gentlemen, let me introduce you to the famous black pearl of the Borgias."
  – Holmes, 27:33

• Lestrade’s warm praise:

  "I have seen you handle a good many cases, Mr. Holmes but I don't know that I ever knew a more workmanlike one than that. We're not jealous of you at Scotland Yard. No sir, we are very proud of you."
  – Lestrade, 33:54

Structure and Timestamps for Key Segments

• Recap & context: 00:28–02:15
• First investigation visits: 02:17–08:33
• Lunch and press reading: 08:44–10:04
• Second wave of interviews: 10:45–11:57
• Reunion and Lestrade’s theory: 12:15–15:58
• Holmes’s research and preparations: 15:58–17:08
• Chiswick stakeout & arrest: 17:08–20:55
• Police station aftermath: 22:00–24:43
• Mr. Sandeford’s key delivery: 25:01–27:18
• Pearl revelation and Holmes’s chain of logic: 27:18–32:55
• Lestrade’s final praise and Holmes’s wrap-up: 33:54–35:02

Final Thoughts

This taut, atmospheric episode demonstrates Holmes’s genius for unraveling, from seemingly petty crimes, a story that spans European intrigue, organized crime, and artful deception. Hugh Bonneville’s narration gives each character distinction and wit, while classic Holmesian logic and understated pathos bring depth to the adventure. The denouement—combining physical action, psychological insight, and the final ‘ta-da’ of the black pearl’s discovery—cements this case as one of Holmes’s “most original in the history of crime.”

Next Time Teaser

Holmes and Watson head to Surrey for "The Adventure of the Reigate Squire," promising another blend of country atmosphere and deadly intrigue.

For ad-free early access to future episodes—including the next thrilling mystery—listeners are encouraged to join Noiser+.

[End of Summary.]