The Amateur Cracksman · Chapter
The Return Match explained
In November, Raffles intercepts Bunny in Piccadilly and brings him to his Albany rooms, where he reveals that the thief Crawshay has escaped from Dartmoor.
What happens
In November, Raffles intercepts Bunny in Piccadilly and brings him to his Albany rooms, where he reveals that the thief Crawshay has escaped from Dartmoor. Crawshay is traced to the Albany, and Inspector Mackenzie arrives to search the building. Raffles offers his key and leaves Bunny to stay with the police. The search leads to Raffles's own rooms, where they find Raffles lying on the floor with a wound on his forehead, apparently dead or injured.
Themes in this chapter
Crime and Morality
The chapter revolves around the escape of a convict, Crawshay, and the police pursuit, highlighting the tension between criminality and justice.
Friendship and Loyalty
Bunny's reluctant loyalty to Raffles is tested as he is drawn into the situation and left to manage the police.
Deception and Identity
Raffles's offer of his key and his apparent injury create a deceptive scenario that misleads the police.
Characters to notice
- A. J. Raffles
Intercepts Bunny in Piccadilly, brings him to the Albany, reveals Crawshay's escape, offers his key to Mackenzie, and is later found apparently dead or injured in his rooms.
- Bunny
Accosted by Raffles, reluctantly accompanies him, stays with the police during the search, and discovers Raffles's body.
- Reginald Crawshay
Escaped from Dartmoor, traced to the Albany, and is the subject of the police search.
- Inspector Mackenzie
Leads the search for Crawshay at the Albany, accepts Raffles's key, and finds Raffles apparently dead or injured.
Key passages
“I had turned into Piccadilly, one thick evening in the following November, when my guilty heart stood still at the sudden grip of a hand upon my arm.”
One foggy November evening, Bunny was walking in Piccadilly when Raffles suddenly grabbed his arm, startling him.
Opens the chapter with a tense encounter.
“You remember Milchester, Bunny, old boy?”
Raffles reminds Bunny of their previous cricket match at Milchester.
References the earlier event, setting up the return match.
“He escaped from Dartmoor yesterday afternoon.”
Crawshay escaped from Dartmoor Prison the previous day.
Key plot point revealing Crawshay's escape.
“I will leave you my key.”
Raffles offers to give Mackenzie his key to search his rooms.
Raffles's risky move that leads to the climax.
“A man was lying at full length before the fire on his back, with a little wound in the white forehead, and the blood draining into his eyes. And the man was Raffles himself!”
The police find Raffles lying on the floor with a wound on his forehead, appearing dead or injured.
Climactic discovery that ends the chapter.