Holmes, by his own account, was originally led to Moriarty by his perception that many of the crimes he investigated were not isolated incidents, but instead the machinations of a vast and subtle criminal organization.
Holmes a ajuns inițial la Moriarty prin sugestia că multe dintre crimele pe care le-a perceput nu au fost opera spontană a unor criminali, ci mașinațiuni ale unei vaste și subtile rețele criminale.