The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans characters

Appears from the start

A London consulting detective drawn into a national-security case by his elder brother. Holmes approaches the dead clerk, the missing technical papers, and the railway setting as parts of one physical problem.

Appears from the start

Holmes's friend and narrator, who joins the investigation during a period of dense London fog. Watson accompanies Holmes to official interviews, the railway line, and the late-night search that uncovers the route taken by the stolen plans.

Appears from the start

Holmes's elder brother, whose extraordinary command of government information makes him an informal center of British administration. He brings Sherlock a case whose consequences could compromise a major defense project.

Appears from the start

A junior government clerk whose body is found beside an Underground railway line. Several pages from the secret Bruce-Partington submarine plans are in his possession, while the most important pages are absent, making him appear responsible for the theft.

Appears from the start

Cadogan West's fiancée. She tells Holmes that West was intensely conscientious about his work and had recently spoken with alarm about the inadequate safeguards around the submarine plans.

Appears from the start

The Scotland Yard inspector assigned to the death of Cadogan West and the theft of the plans. He shares the official evidence with Holmes and assists once the detective's reconstruction identifies a place to search.

Appears from the start

The senior clerk responsible for the plans at the Woolwich office. He explains the strict rules governing access and confirms that Cadogan West possessed a key but was not authorized to remove the papers.

Appears from the start

The official chiefly responsible for protecting the submarine project. The loss of the plans and suspicion surrounding his department overwhelm him before Holmes can question him.

Appears from the start

Sir James Walter's brother, a decorated officer burdened by private financial trouble. He becomes important to Holmes's inquiry into how a foreign agent could have reached the guarded material.

Appears from the start

A foreign agent known to British authorities who maintains a London house beside an exposed stretch of Underground railway. Holmes suspects that the missing plans were taken there for sale.