Grimesby Roylott. Holmes was only used to promise Helen Stoner protection from her stepfather. Even though he hit the snake, it was in self-defense, to protect himself. When the snake reached Dr. Roylott's room, Holmes had no way of knowing that Dr. Roylott would be bitten by it. While it may have been difficult, Holmes could have thought for some time before hitting the swamp adder about what might have happened. As a result, Helen could be happily married with definitive knowledge of the events behind her stepfather's bedroom door. Sherlock Holmes perceived the astonishing completion behind this difficult case, even though it may have cost him his