# The Rest Cure explained — A Thief in the Night

> Chapter companion for A Thief in the Night by E. W. Hornung.

## What happens

Raffles reveals to Bunny that he has been hiding in a rented house in London, posing as an old soldier and taking a 'Rest Cure' while reading criminology and following cabs for exercise. Bunny joins him, but their quiet retreat is shattered when the house's owner, Colonel Crutchley, returns unexpectedly, leading to a violent confrontation and a subsequent police investigation. Raffles and Bunny flee, with Raffles planning a provincial tour under an alias, while Bunny grapples with guilt over the colonel's fate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Deception

Raffles adopts multiple disguises and aliases, including posing as an old soldier and planning to return to the Albany under a false identity. The theme is central to his survival and criminal activities.

### Crime and Morality

The chapter explores the moral consequences of crime, particularly through Bunny's guilt over the attack on Colonel Crutchley and his desire to confess.

### Adventure and Risk

Raffles' 'Rest Cure' involves risky activities like following cabs and breaking into houses, highlighting the thrill and danger of his lifestyle.

## Character check-ins

### A. J. Raffles

Has been hiding in a rented house on Campden Hill, taking a 'Rest Cure' and reading criminology. He follows cabs for exercise and plans a provincial tour under an alias.

### Bunny

Joins Raffles in hiding, but struggles with guilt over the attack on Colonel Crutchley. He considers confessing to the police.

### Narrator

Bunny serves as the first-person narrator, recounting the events of the Rest Cure and his internal turmoil.

### The Colonel

Colonel Crutchley, the owner of the house where Raffles is hiding. He returns unexpectedly and is attacked, becoming the victim of a dastardly outrage.

## Key lines

> I prefer to call it my Rest Cure

Raffles describes his hiding as a 'Rest Cure' to Bunny.

_This phrase is the chapter's title and encapsulates Raffles' ironic approach to his criminal lifestyle._

> I follow cabs. Yes, Bunny, I turn out about dusk and meet the expresses at Euston or King's Cross

Raffles explains his exercise routine of following cabs from train stations.

_This reveals Raffles' method of staying fit while also scouting potential targets._

> West-End Outrage Colonel Crutchley, R.E. , V.C. , has been the victim of a dastardly outrage

A newspaper headline reports the attack on Colonel Crutchley.

_This event triggers Bunny's guilt and desire to confess._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_thief_in_the_night_se/chapters/the-rest-cure
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_thief_in_the_night_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_thief_in_the_night_se/chapters