The Tarantula was actually Bill Barnes, fiance of Deborah Morgan. He was not a wealthy man, so he turned to threatening and extorting money from rich young debutantes. When they failed to pay him, they died. He was brought to justice by Inspector Bentley of Scotland Yard. The Tarantula had unusual climbing ability, and captured his victims by springing down on them from above. He then killed his victims with spider venom in a needle at the head on his cane. He also kept pet tarantulas.