A Thief in the Night by Ernest William Hornung

A Thief in the Night is a 1905 collection of mystery short stories written by Ernest William Hornung. It features A. J. Raffles, a gentleman thief in Victorian London, and his accomplice Bunny Manders. Hornung’s stories revolve around the pair’s daring exploits as they steal from the wealthy, with Raffles embodying a complex anti-hero—charming, skilled, yet morally ambiguous.

Plot Summary

In the shadowy alleys of London, A. J. Raffles, the notorious gentleman thief, moves through high society with grace and cunning, executing elaborate heists while maintaining an air of respectability. His partner, Bunny Manders, forever drawn to Raffles despite his moral hesitation, is pulled deeper into the web of deceit and danger. The two men, one bold and unrepentant, the other reluctant but loyal, form an inseparable duo as they navigate the world of crime.

In one daring escapade, Raffles sets his sights on a grand country estate, lured by the rumors of priceless jewels locked away in the family safe. Raffles’ plans are as impeccable as ever, his knowledge of the estate’s layout precise. With Bunny at his side, the pair manages to infiltrate the mansion, bypassing its elaborate security. But as they near their prize, an unexpected presence—a houseguest who is not supposed to be there—forces them to adjust their strategy. With nerves of steel, Raffles orchestrates an escape, leaving with the jewels and without a trace of their intrusion.

Another adventure takes them to the bustling city of Paris, where Raffles becomes fascinated by a famous necklace, one that has drawn the attention of Europe’s wealthiest. It is said to be impossible to steal, surrounded by guards and locked behind glass. But Raffles, undeterred, sees it as a challenge. He weaves his way through Parisian society, mingling with diplomats and aristocrats, all the while gathering information. The night of the gala comes, and while the elite of Europe dance in the grand ballroom, Raffles executes a flawless heist, taking the necklace while Bunny watches in awe. The crime is so perfectly timed that by the time the theft is discovered, the pair are already halfway across the English Channel.

Raffles’ adventures, however, are not always smooth. There are moments when his luck falters. In a particularly dangerous exploit, Raffles seeks to rob a prominent jeweler in Bond Street. The shop is fortified, the owner paranoid, and the police patrols frequent. Raffles, though confident, encounters a close call when the jeweler returns unexpectedly during the robbery. For once, even his legendary charm and quick wit may not be enough. With Bunny’s help, they narrowly avoid capture, slipping out moments before the police arrive. It is a reminder that even the best-laid plans can go awry.

There are also moments when Raffles’ past catches up with him. In one story, a former rival from his days at university resurfaces, now an inspector with Scotland Yard. This man, determined to bring Raffles to justice, has studied his every move and knows his methods. It becomes a tense game of cat and mouse, with Raffles barely staying ahead of his pursuer. His clever disguises and intricate alibis are put to the test as he must outwit someone who knows him all too well. Bunny, ever the loyal accomplice, helps Raffles stay one step ahead, but the pressure begins to mount as their freedom hangs in the balance.

Amid these high-stakes robberies, there are also quieter, more personal stories. In one, Raffles learns of an old friend who has fallen on hard times. The man, once wealthy, has lost everything and is in desperate need of help. Raffles, despite his criminal nature, is not without a sense of honor. He devises a plan to steal from a corrupt businessman who has wronged his friend, not for personal gain, but to restore his friend’s fortune. It is one of the few instances where Raffles’ actions carry a sense of justice, blurring the line between right and wrong.

Yet, Raffles’ life is not without tragedy. In one of their final escapades, a scheme to steal a fortune from a wealthy widow goes awry when an innocent party is hurt in the process. Bunny, shaken by the event, begins to question his loyalty to Raffles. The thrill of the heists is no longer enough to mask the growing sense of guilt. Raffles, too, is affected, though he hides it well behind his usual charm. Their partnership, once built on mutual admiration and adventure, starts to fracture under the weight of their deeds.

The culmination of Raffles’ life as a thief comes during a grand plot to rob an auction house where the finest jewels in England are on display. It is a daring and complex plan, one that Raffles believes will be his greatest triumph. But even he cannot foresee all the variables. As they prepare to strike, a rival gang, equally skilled but far more ruthless, appears on the scene. What was to be Raffles’ crowning achievement turns into a chaotic scramble for survival. In the end, Raffles is forced to make a difficult choice: escape with his life or complete the heist. He chooses the former, leaving behind the spoils but narrowly evading capture. It is a humbling experience, one that marks the beginning of the end for his illustrious career.

As time passes, Raffles and Bunny find themselves retreating into the shadows, their heists less frequent, their reputations fading. They remain bound by their shared past, but the adventures that once defined them are now behind them. Raffles, ever the enigmatic figure, continues to live by his own rules, but the thrill that once drove him has dimmed. Bunny, now older and wiser, reflects on the life they have led, knowing that they have survived where many others would not have. In the twilight of their criminal careers, they have become legends, both feared and admired, but also ghosts of a time when the world seemed full of endless possibilities.

Main Characters

1. A. J. Raffles: The protagonist and gentleman thief. He is suave, intelligent, and masterful at planning and executing thefts while maintaining his high-society reputation. Raffles is both daring and charismatic, luring his partner Bunny into various criminal activities with a blend of audacity and charm.

2. Bunny Manders: The narrator and loyal sidekick to Raffles. Bunny admires Raffles’ cleverness but struggles with the morality of their crimes. His internal conflict about his involvement in thefts is central to his character, and he often plays the role of a reluctant but faithful accomplice.

3. Hector Carruthers: A politician who opposes Bunny’s romantic relationship. Though he plays a peripheral role, his disdain for Bunny shapes part of the emotional tension between Bunny and the woman he loves.

Theme

1. Morality and Crime: Hornung explores the gray area between right and wrong, especially through Raffles, whose thefts are romanticized despite being morally questionable. Bunny’s fluctuating guilt highlights the tension between his loyalty and the moral implications of their actions.

2. Loyalty and Friendship: The relationship between Raffles and Bunny is a driving force. Raffles’ charisma consistently pulls Bunny deeper into a life of crime, despite Bunny’s hesitations. Their bond is a curious mixture of friendship, manipulation, and dependency.

3. Social Class and Inequality: Raffles, a gentleman by birth, steals from the wealthy, blurring the lines between the rich and the criminal. This reversal of roles subtly critiques the rigid class structures of Victorian society, presenting crime as an act of rebellion against societal norms.

4. Thrill of the Chase: The excitement of planning and executing heists is a recurring motif. Raffles’ ingenuity in outsmarting both his targets and the authorities adds suspense and keeps readers enthralled.

Writing Style and Tone

Hornung’s writing in A Thief in the Night is refined and elegant, reflecting the upper-class world in which Raffles and Bunny operate. His prose is detailed, drawing readers into both the sophistication of Victorian society and the thrilling world of high-stakes theft. The narration by Bunny provides a more personal and introspective view, adding depth to the moral quandaries of the stories.

The tone of the collection is often one of adventure mixed with subtle humor. Raffles’ charm and wit make the criminal escapades seem almost playful, while Bunny’s inner conflict injects a sense of vulnerability into the narrative. The stories alternate between moments of high tension and light-hearted banter, striking a balance between the danger of their endeavors and the allure of the lifestyle they lead.