Recall the Facts

"In short," Holmes summed up his reasoning, "the location of the altercation is significant, because if Watson and I were 'in cahoots' as the saying goes, there would have been no need for Watson to take anyone to my lodgings. He would have known which papers were significant without Merridew's assistance. The location of Merridew's worst injuries is significant because clearly the attack focused upon the hands, where one might reasonably expect him to have been carrying weaponry." Holmes shifted on his pillow and swallowed a cough. "And there is one more incontrovertible item which you must take into account."

Recall the Facts

"In short," Holmes summed up his reasoning, "the location of the altercation is significant, because if Watson and I were 'in cahoots' as the saying goes, there would have been no need for Watson to take anyone to my lodgings. He would have known which papers were significant without Merridew's assistance. The location of Merridew's worst injuries is significant because clearly the attack focused upon the hands, where one might reasonably expect him to have been carrying weaponry." Holmes shifted on his pillow and swallowed a cough. "And there is one more incontrovertible item which you must take into account."