The Adventure of the Six Napoleons - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story

"The Adventure of the Six Napoleons" is one of 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and one of 13 in the collection "The Return of Sherlock Holmes."

Holmes, Watson and Inspector Lestrade have developed a friendship over the years and the police officer often drops in at 212B Baker Street after work to chat. This time Holmes correctly senses Lestrade has something on his mind and he responds positively. ".. It is such an absurd business that I hesitated to bother you about it." And then goes on, "A queer madness. You wouldn't think there was anyone living .. who had such a hatred of Napoleon the First that he would break any image of him that he could see."

When Lestrade mentions that the crime of burglary is involved, Holmes sits up with excitement.