A Thief in the Night · Chapter
The Raffles Relics explained
Raffles reveals to Bunny that he hid inside the silver chest at Scotland Yard to retrieve the Raffles Relics from the Black Museum.
What happens
Raffles reveals to Bunny that he hid inside the silver chest at Scotland Yard to retrieve the Raffles Relics from the Black Museum. He explains the secret side door of the chest and his reasons for the risky venture. Later, they visit the Black Museum together using a press pass, where Raffles subtly assesses whether the police suspect his survival. The chapter ends with Raffles hinting at a possible end to his criminal career and foreshadowing his eventual volunteering for the war.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Morality
Raffles's theft of the relics from Scotland Yard is a bold criminal act, yet he frames it as a 'crime of sentiment' and contemplates atonement through war service.
Identity and Deception
Raffles and Bunny visit the Black Museum under false pretenses, hiding their true identities from the police; Raffles's survival is unknown to the authorities.
Redemption and Atonement
Raffles hints at ending his criminal career and seeking atonement through volunteering for the war, foreshadowing his eventual death.
Characters to notice
- A. J. Raffles
Reveals he hid in the chest at Scotland Yard to steal the Raffles Relics; explains the chest's secret side door; expresses desire to see the Black Museum and gauge police suspicion; hints at ending his criminal life.
- Bunny
Initially asleep when Raffles returns; expresses shock and disbelief at Raffles's exploit; later accompanies Raffles to the Black Museum using a press pass; reflects on Raffles's prophetic words.
- Narrator
First-person perspective recounting the events; describes the visit to the Black Museum and the conversation with Raffles.
Key passages
“I was a real Father Christmas, when I arrived. It's a pity you weren't awake to appreciate the scene.”
Raffles jokes that he was like Santa Claus, bringing the relics back, and regrets that Bunny was asleep to see it.
Raffles's playful tone after his dangerous exploit.
“I must own that it seems to me their natural and fitting end, though I might have stopped more characteristically than with a mere crime of sentiment.”
Raffles admits that stealing the relics feels like a fitting conclusion to his criminal career, even if it lacks his usual flair.
Raffles reflects on the symbolic end of his crimes.
“But with this war one gets all the excitement one requires—and rather more than usual may happen in three or four weeks?”
Raffles suggests that the war provides enough excitement and that significant events might occur soon.
Foreshadowing of Raffles's volunteering and death in the Boer War.