“Well,” said Lestrade, “I’ve 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, and if you come down to-morrow, there’s not a man, from the oldest inspector to the youngest constable, who wouldn’t be glad to shake you by the hand.”
Lestrade stops by Baker Street on the regular to collaborate with Holmes about cases.
In this case, someone apparently doesn’t like Napoleon and goes out of his way to break into people’s homes to destroy any busts of the man. All busts are identical, so Holmes believes each case is more than just a ‘singular’ hatred of Napoleon.
Holmes and Watson are later called to a scene by Lestrade to help with the same investigation, but this time, there is a murder, so the case isn’t as ‘singular’ as they first believed. Holmes concludes that the bust was worth the life of the dead man and that the person breaking the busts is looking for something within them as each one is broken near a lamp. The only clue is a photograph left on the dead man.
Lestrade wants to backtrack on the dead man’s happenings while Holmes wants to go his own way and compare notes later. So each set out on their ‘singular’ activities. His alternate route leads him to track down the sellers and manufacturers of the busts, where he also shows the photograph and finally gets a name. Beppo.
Holmes manipulates the press to his advantage with misdirection.
The three (Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade) meet up later at Baker Street where Holmes argues with Lestrade about who’s done the better job; Holmes’ tracking of the busts and Lestrade identifying the dead man and having a lead to the murderer. But Holmes has the edge as he knows purchasers/current owners of each bust and manages to beat the criminal to his next stop.
The loaded hunting-crop is Holmes’ favorite weapon.
Doyle likes to make things very ‘singular’ in his stories.
Holmes bounds like a tiger and the criminal is captured. It’s the man in the photograph, Beppo. Holmes examines the broken bust and discovers nothing. The next day brings forth nothing much until Holmes attempts to purchase the last bust on his list from its owner who meets him at Baker Street. There is an argument about price but he succeeds in buying it and then proceeds to smash it with his hunting-crop. Then, within the bust, he finds the famous black pearl of the Borgias. Of course, Holmes connects this case with an older, unsolved one, further impressing Lestrade.
Holmes becomes human long enough to appreciate and accept Watson and Lestrade’s applause. It’s quite endearing from Watson’s point of view as he’s so used to seeing Holmes as a cold and practical thinker.
Backstory - Beppo hid the pearl in the bust but was arrested and detained for six years. Later released, he tracks down the busts and attempts to obtain the pearl. The murdered man was an Italian employee who had helped Beppo in the theft but got in the way.
I really liked this one. The mystery is fun and well hidden if you don't know where to look. One of Doyle's better stories. Nice read and adventure.