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
The Food of the Gods (short story) The Food of the Gods (short story) "The Food of the Gods" is a science fiction short story by British writer Arthur C. Clarke, first published in 1964. It was subsequently published as part of a short story collection "The Wind from the Sun" in 1972. The title is in reference to "ambrosia", the mythical food of the ancient Greek gods and the name of the controversial food product discussed in this story. The title could also be seen as a tribute to the novel "The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth" by H. G. Wells.