An unknown thief steals an important naval treaty from a Foreign Office clerk; Sherlock Holmes sets out to find it. An unknown thief steals an important naval treaty from the office of Mr. Percy Phelps, a Foreign Office clerk. Phelps's distress gives him a brain fever that lasts for nine weeks. First published in the Strand Magazine in two parts, first part in Oct. 1893 with 8 illustrations by Sidney Paget, second part in Nov. 1893 with 7 illustrations by Paget.