The Naval Treaty

Watson receives a letter from a fellow student, Percy Phelps, who is the nephew of a prominent politician, and works in the Foreign Affairs Office, stating that he is ill and requesting Holmes and Watson to visit him. They go to his residence, in Woking, and he tells them that a very important confidential naval treaty, signed between Great Britain and Italy, was stolen from his office, during one night, while he was preparing a copy, at the request of his uncle. After this crime, he has been in bed for nine weeks with a high fever, cared by his girlfriend and another night nurse, while his fiancée’s brother also lives with them. In addition, this treaty is very important and should not reach the embassies of France and Russia, in order to avoid a diplomatic conflict. Sherlock Holmes questions the inspector in charge of the case and the politician.