The Adventure of the Speckled Band that of Dr Roylott. Holmes and Watson arrange to spend the night in Helen's room. In darkness they wait; suddenly, a slight metallic noise and a dim light through the ventilator prompt Holmes to action. Quickly lighting a candle, he discovers on the bell cord the "speckled band"—a venomous snake. He strikes the snake with a stick, driving it back through the ventilator. Agitated, it attacks Roylott, who had been waiting for it to return after killing Helen. Holmes identifies the snake as a "swamp adder" and reveals to Watson the motive: the late wife's will had provided an annual
Hawk of the Hills (short story) of characterization is also praised and this story is noted as the reviewer's favourite of the series. The story is currently in print in the first volume of Del Rey's "The Best of Robert E. Howard". Hawk of the Hills (short story) "Hawk of the Hills" is an El Borak short story by Robert E. Howard. It was originally published in the June 1935 issue of the pulp magazine "Top-Notch", one of only five of the El Borak stories published within Howard's lifetime. The story was featured as the cover of that issue. The story is regarded as one of