Dr. Roylott is a good example of how a gifted creative writer will fashion a character to suit the needs of his plot. Helen Stoner describes her stepfather in her long expository back-story--and then he appears in person. He is half-mad, violent, smart, learned, formidable. Arthur Conan Doyle started with the idea of a man using a poisonous snake to commit a murder in a so-called "locked-room" murder mystery. Who would do such a thing? And why? The murderer had to know about snakes and autopsies. He needs to have scientific training. He becomes a doctor. He has to have a strong motivation for killing Julia Stoner. He has financial problems, and he would be forced to give her a third of his income from her mother's estate if she married. The same would apply to her sister Helen, who has just become engaged to be married. His behavior since his return to Stoke Moran, as described to Holmes and Watson by Helen, shows that he is a cruel, ruthless man. He is capable of murdering two innocent young women in a hideous way and smart enough to do so without being caught. So Conan Doyle has fashioned a character who will perfectly suit the needs of his intricate plot.
When the towering Dr. Roylott makes his unexpected and unannounced appearance at 221B Baker Street, he shows himself to be everything Helen has said about him. (The fact that he has traced Helen to Holmes' address so quickly is intended as a demonstration of his intelligence.) He has to be shown in person at least once in order to establish that he is indeed as crazy and violent as Helen's description suggested. He also adds dramatic tension to the story, which is sorely needed after Helen has conveyed so much expository information in her lengthy back-story. Furthermore, his threats and warnings establish that the conflict is primarily one between Holmes and Roylott: man against man.
“I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here.” He stepped swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his huge brown hands.
“See that you keep yourself out of my grip,” he snarled, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the room.
The reader will see Dr. Roylott alive only once, but that is enough to establish his presence hovering over Stoke Moran like a black cloud. He is obviously capable of trying to kill both Holmes and Watson if he should return unexpectedly from London and catch them snooping right inside his home. A country squire like Roylott must have a number of guns available for hunting and for protection against burglars.
When Holmes drives the swamp adder back up the bell-rope, through the ventilator, and into Roylott's room, the mad doctor gets exactly what he deserves. The conflict is resolved with Holmes' complete victory. He tells Watson:
"Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another....I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience.”
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