Maritime contract

In July 1889, Watson was approached by his classmate, Percy Phelps, asking for emergency assistance. Watson and Holmes go to visit Phelps, where they get to know him, his fiancée Annie Harrison and her brother Joseph. Phelps, after the incident happened to him, had a fever of nervousness, is still very weak and forced to observe bed rest, constantly being in the room of his future brother-in-law Joseph.

Two months ago, Phelps, working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, receives an important task from his uncle minister: to make a copy of the secret agreement between Italy and the UK. After working until late at night, Phelps decides to drink coffee, but the doorman on duty does not accept his call. When Phelps enters the doorman’s room, he finds him sleeping. Suddenly, someone starts calling from the room where Phelps worked. Phelps and the doorman rush into this room, but the unknown has already managed to escape through another exit with the stolen document. Police efforts in search of the missing treaty are futile. Holmes begins an investigation. Phelps reports that at night someone tried to enter the bedroom where he was. Holmes offers to leave Phelps with him and Watson to London , but he unexpectedly returns, getting off the train at the last moment.

The next morning, Holmes arrives on Baker Street with his bandaged hand and offers breakfast. When Phelps opens his plate, he sees the missing contract lying on it, which Holmes imperceptibly put there, wanting to play Phelps slightly. It turns out that the document was stolen by the brother-in-law of Phelps Joseph. Arriving at the Ministry and not finding Phelps in the room, he called, but, noticing the contract, stole it and disappeared, wanting to subsequently sell it to the foreign embassy. Joseph hid the document in his room, in a cache, but, since the sick Phelps was suddenly brought in there, Joseph could not pick up the precious paper. That is why, having barely learned that Phelps had left for London and the room was empty, Joseph immediately penetrates there, but is ambushed by Holmes. In a brawl, Holmes injures his hand, but takes possession of the stolen document.

Of all the works about Sherlock Holmes, only in this story does Mrs. Hudson's nationality be mentioned - she is a Scot.

• The story "Sea contract"
• "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty," Glasgow Weekly Mail (November 17, 1894), 7; (November 24, 1894), 7.
• "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty," The Grand Magazine, 57 (May 1930), 265-283.
• "The Naval Treaty," [Illustrated by WH Hyde. Harper's Weekly, 37, No. 1921 (October 14, 1893), 978-980; 37, No. 1922 (October 21, 1893), 1006-1007, 1010. (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)
• "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty," Illustrated by Dan Smith and Raleigh. New York World, Sunday magazine (July 9, 1905), 8; (July 16, 1905), 6.
• "The Naval Treaty," Pennsylvania Grit Story Companion [Williamsport], 23, No. 25, Story Companion No. 540 (May 21, 1905), 1-8. illus.
• "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty," [Illustrated by Sidney Paget]. The Strand Magazine, 6, No. 34 (October 1893), 392-403; 6, No. 35 (November 1893), 459-468. (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 23)
• "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty," [Illustrated by Sidney Paget]. The Strand Magazine [New York], 6, No. 34 (November 1893), 392-403; 6, No. 35 (December 1893), 459-468.