Holmes deigned to respond to my incredulity at his swift deduction, and adopted his familiar, and somewhat humiliating, didactic tone to explain it all.
"Ah my dear Watson, why this is so clear, with so many re-affirming clues, that even the bald-headed man on the Clapham omnibus would have identified the culprit. But I am being too harsh Watson, your great quality is your passion, an emotion that has passed me by, and passion upsets greater minds than yours”
I could not wilt from this albeit tapered insult. But the clues got me no closer even though the list of suspects seemed now refined. Holmes took me thought them:
"Given I have told you where the clues can be found Watson, let’s look at the suspects that emerge.
One, could it be a rampant anarchist gang seeking revenge? Two, perhaps the nascent serial killer on the loose in London? Three. A mission of revenge from the Chilean delegation?
Let us consider all three. First the anarchists, the started, and interrupted, letter is instructive. We know the modus operandi of these devils is to extract a letter of confession which the note ties with. But Watson, consider your execution is imminent, from which there is no escape - could you fathom such a steady and even hand? Of course not - we must dismiss this explanation.”
"Second, could it be our garroter of young women striking for a third time? Well the admitted entry to the apartment is indicative. Yet this twisted criminal distinctly assail his victim upon entering the apartment, sans interview. I have, of course, been assisting Lestrade on this case - and I feel confident that this vile miscreant has committed his last abomination.”