 The Holmes of this story, however, has chosen to pursue researches in advanced theoretical physics.The detective reveals to the narrator that his correspondence with "Rache" involved the latter's "wild theories" concerning “the relationship between mass, energy and the hypothetical speed of light,” which he calls “nonsense, of course…but inspired and dangerous nonsense nonetheless.”

While not explicitly stated at the conclusion of the story, based on the date that accompanies the "signature", the recent events in Russia most likely refer to the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881, i.e.an assassination of a Great Old One of extreme importance.