# Sir Ethelred — The Secret Agent character guide

> Sir Ethelred in The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0007-v

## Who they are

A high-ranking government official overseeing the police investigation.

## Relationships

### [Chief Inspector Heat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/chief_inspector_heat)

_professional_

Heat reports to Sir Ethelred, his superior in the police hierarchy, with deference and bureaucratic tension.

### [Chief Inspector Heat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/chief_inspector_heat)

_professional_

Heat reports to Sir Ethelred, his superior in the police hierarchy, with deference and bureaucratic tension.

### [Chief Inspector Heat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/chief_inspector_heat)

_professional_

Heat reports to Sir Ethelred, his superior in the police hierarchy, with deference and bureaucratic tension.

## In the story

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/chapters/vii)

Listens attentively to the Assistant Commissioner's plan, showing haughtiness and concern over the political situation.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/chapters/x)

The great man being briefed by the Assistant Commissioner; referred to as 'The Chief'.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters/sir_ethelred
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_agent_se/characters