The Devils of Dark Lake

Introduction

“THE DEVILS OF DARK LAKE” is a gripping tale of suspense and supernatural horror. It weaves a narrative that combines human malice with cryptic elements, making it a classic display of Robert E. Howard’s talent for the macabre. As the story unfolds, readers are introduced to a serene setting that quickly spirals into a scene of terror and dark revenge.

Cross Plains Library has an original draft of this story. A horror story. See also: Untitled synopsis (The Devils of Dark Lake).

From the letters:

The story was rejected by Standard Magazines, Inc. on October 14, 1935.

Dear Mr. Howard:

Here’s one that didn’t click – THE DEVILS OF DARK LAKE. I’m afraid you tried to cram too much horror into it, at the expense of the plot.

Sorry.

Sincerely yours,
LEO MARGULIES
Editorial Director

It was also rejected by Popular Publications on November 15, 1935.

Dear Mr. Howard:

Although your story “The Devils of Dark Lane” is too much of the adventure type for us, I wish you’d study our needs a bit more carefully. You can write exceptionally well, and I am sure you can do our kind of story.

Will you try us with something else?

Sincerly
Rogers Terrill, Editor
WESTERN MAGAZINES
MYSTERY MAGAZINES

Summary

The story begins with the narrator, who receives a frantic call from his neighbor, Joan Grissom, claiming a monstrous entity has killed her friends and is attacking her. The narrator, rushing to her aid, discovers a gruesome scene: Joan’s friends are brutally murdered. Unfortunately, Joan is kidnapped by the creature before he arrives.

The narrator then encounters Celia La Tour and her brother Bartholomew, who are tracking their enemy, Rackston Bane — the same man terrorizing Joan and her husband, Dick Grissom. Together, they attempt to rescue the Grissoms from Bane’s clutches. Bane, driven by vengeance and a warped sense of identity, believes himself to be a Chinese mandarin and employs various monstrous minions, including a hairy beast named Esau, to torture and eventually kill his captives as part of an elaborate, sadistic revenge plan.

The rescue mission leads them to Bane’s hideout, where Dick is being tortured in front of Joan, who is bound and slated for a gruesome death. The climax is a chaotic battle that sees the narrator, with the help of Celia and Bartholomew, taking down Bane’s henchmen and eventually Bane himself. Celia, despite being fatally wounded, fulfills her promise of revenge by causing Bane’s death through a pit of venomous snakes.

Characters

  • Narrator/Steve: A friend and neighbor to the Grissoms, he becomes the central heroic figure trying to save his friends.
  • Joan Grissom: A victim of Bane’s terror, she is kidnapped and subjected to psychological and physical terror.
  • Dick Grissom: Joan’s husband, who is also kidnapped and tortured by Bane.
  • Bartholomew La Tour: A voodoo priest from Haiti, hunting Bane for personal vengeance.
  • Celia La Tour: Bartholomew’s sister, who aids the narrator in the rescue and plays a pivotal role in Bane’s downfall.
  • Rackston Bane: The main antagonist, whose rejection by Joan drives him to seek revenge through elaborate and horrific means.
  • Esau: A monstrous, hairy creature used by Bane to enforce his terror.
  • Strozza: A former employee of the Grissoms, aligned with Bane, involved in the kidnapping and torture schemes.

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