The description given by Miss Stoner of Dr Grimsby Roylott portrays him as a very strong, furious and violent man. Some one not to mess with! It shows this on page 52 where it states “ In a fit of anger, however caused by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he beat his native butler to death, narrowly escaping a capital sentence.”
At this point Holmes asks Miss Stoner “Pray be precise as to details.” This is where Holmes is beginning to absorb all the information he is being given into his final conclusion. Another strong part of information is that Holmes has noticed Dr Roylott has physically abused his stepdaughter. He knows this from the markings on her hand.
As a character Miss Helen Stoner seems to be a very frightened person caused by the actions of Dr Roylott and the death of her sister. The strange goings on in and around the house must have made her suspicious for example the death of her young healthy sister with no explanation, the weird animals wondering about the house, etc. No wonder she felt the need to lock her self in at night!
On page 59 Holmes is now looking for clues to solve the murder mystery as the plot is now becoming even more thicker because its seems that Miss Stoner would have had to have been alone on the night of her mysterious end. This is so because Helen is saying that the “flooring and walls are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable!” Holmes asks if it would be possible to come and observe the room and other evidence. The next day they arrive at Stoke Moran to evaluate the possibilities of what could have happened.
Dr Roylott suddenly appears at the home of Holmes after Miss Stoner has gone. He bursts through the door with rage shouting, “Which of you is Holmes?” This is where Holmes gets his first experience with Dr Roylott. He comes across as extremely aggressive and intimidating with “ A large face that seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of us, while his deep–set, bile shot eyes, and the high thin fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bird of prey.” So from this description he doesn’t come across as very appealing! Unruffled by the entrance of Dr Roylott, Holmes calmly replies “ Indeed Doctor, pray take a seat.” Holmes even starts to become sarcastic with Dr Roylott.
On page 61 Holmes has discovered the will of the deceased wife, which shows that the two daughters were left a considerable amount of money, this was basically the there home at Stoke Moran. So this then gave Holmes a reason to visit Stoke Moran because this gave Dr Roylott a motive to kill the two sisters so he would then claim the money.
On pages 62 and 63 this is where the scene is being set for the ending to the story and suspension is being created. Holmes is asking to be taken to the rooms so he can examine at once before Dr Roylott gets back. We are then been given a description to the house which is “The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high central portion, and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, thrown out on each side.” This clearly sets the mood for what is going to happen, an old run down, ruined house that hasn’t been looked after. In that short description there is a simile “the two curving wings, like the claws of a crab.” As Holmes gets closer he notices that there is some scaffolding, in place against the end wall where Miss Stoners bedroom is. There seems to be no apparent reason for this and Holmes spots this straight away. Miss stoner is being put in a room next to Dr Roylott, which seems a bit suspicious. Is this part of Dr Roylotts plan? After Holmes has now examined the room he starts building up his logic and coming to a conclusion. For example he notices the bell ring that’s just been placed there. He says, “Indeed, it seemed to unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there.” He then tugs it find out it’s a dummy! He now carries on his investigation by searching Dr Roylotts chamber. He finds some evidence, which he can now use to associate with other information. He finds the safe, which could explain the metal sounds late at night and the saucer of milk could be linked to one of the animals but Holmes knows there are no cats, and maybe has the knowledge that snakes are attracted to milk.
Holmes now starts to tell the plan of how to find out about the death of Miss Stoners sister. Holmes already knows what is going to happen and has figured out a way that fits every thing together but he prefers not to tell anyone until he has clear proof of how her sister was killed. As they wait to see what is happening Holmes knows every little detail to look out for. As ever Holmes is correct and begins to reveal his clues to the mystery one by one. Holmes is concerned that he is to blame for the death of Dr Roylott, because he sent the snake back into Dr Roylott’s room and the snake turns on the first person, which unfortunately was Dr Roylott.
