# Percy Phelps — The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes character guide

> Percy Phelps in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Percy, Mr. Phelps, man Phelps, Mr. Percy Phelps, Phelps

**First appearance:** 0010-the-naval-treaty

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_professional_

Percy Phelps is a client who hires Holmes to investigate the theft of important naval documents.

### [Dr. Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/dr_watson)

_social_

Dr. Watson is an acquaintance of Percy Phelps, having been introduced through Holmes's investigation.

### [Colonel Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/colonel_ross)

_professional_

Colonel Ross and Percy Phelps are colleagues in the government service, both involved in sensitive naval matters.

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_professional_

Percy Phelps is a client who hires Holmes to investigate the theft of important naval documents.

### [Dr. Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/dr_watson)

_social_

Dr. Watson is an acquaintance of Percy Phelps, having been introduced through Holmes's investigation.

### [Dr. Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/dr_watson)

_social_

Dr. Watson is an acquaintance of Percy Phelps, having been introduced through Holmes's investigation.

### [Colonel Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/colonel_ross)

_professional_

Colonel Ross and Percy Phelps are colleagues in the government service, both involved in sensitive naval matters.

### [Colonel Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/colonel_ross)

_professional_

Colonel Ross and Percy Phelps are colleagues in the government service, both involved in sensitive naval matters.

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_professional_

Percy Phelps is a client who hires Holmes to investigate the theft of important naval documents.

## In the story

### [The Naval Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-naval-treaty)

A brilliant former schoolmate of Watson, now a Foreign Office clerk who has suffered a breakdown after losing a secret treaty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/percy_phelps
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters