The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes · Character
Percy Phelps
A brilliant Foreign Office clerk, once the golden boy of his school, now shattered by a single night's work that cost him a secret treaty and his nerve.
supporting
Also known as Percy, Mr. Phelps, man Phelps, Mr. Percy Phelps, Phelps
First appearance: The Naval Treaty
As a supporting figure in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, Percy Phelps is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
A brilliant former schoolmate of Watson, now a Foreign Office clerk who has suffered a breakdown after losing a secret treaty.
Phelps grew up two forms ahead of Watson, collecting every prize and a powerful uncle, Lord Holdhurst, who smoothed his path into a position of trust. When a confidential naval treaty vanishes from his desk, the disgrace and the nine weeks of brain-fever that follow leave him haggard, dependent, and desperate enough to beg Holmes for help. His collapse gives the case its emotional weight: the mystery is not only who took the papers, but whether a promising man can be put back together.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
30 connectionsA slice of how Percy Phelps sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Social
- Other
Character groups
- Silver Blaze case
- Protagonist
- Yellow Face secret
- Cardboard Box murder
+25 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, the narrative climax is marked by Watson’s psychological peak of self-conscious frustration a…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Sherlock Holmes
professional · positive
Percy Phelps is a client who hires Holmes to investigate the theft of important naval… How this plays out →
- Dr. Watson
social · positive
- Colonel Ross
professional · positive
- Sherlock Holmes
professional · positive
Percy Phelps is a client who hires Holmes to investigate the theft of important naval… How this plays out →
- Dr. Watson
social · positive
- Dr. Watson
social · positive
- Colonel Ross
professional · positive
- Colonel Ross
professional · positive
- Sherlock Holmes
professional · positive
Percy Phelps is a client who hires Holmes to investigate the theft of important naval… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Percy Phelps in The Naval TreatyIn the story
Percy Phelps appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Percy Phelps unlock in the free preview.
See Percy Phelps in The Naval Treaty