# I explained — The Black Mask

> Chapter companion for The Black Mask by E. W. Hornung.

## What happens

Bunny, living in poverty and writing articles on prison life, receives a telegram from his estranged relative urging him to apply for a male nurse position advertised in the Daily Mail. After pawning his suit, he travels to Earl's Court and meets Dr. Theobald, who interviews him for the job. Theobald introduces him to the patient, a querulous invalid, whom Bunny shockingly recognizes as his old friend A. J. Raffles.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Mobility

Bunny's fall from a gentleman's life to a garret, and his desperate application for a male nurse job, highlight the precariousness of social status.

### Deception and Performance

Bunny conceals his past during the interview, and the entire situation is a front for Raffles' hidden identity.

## Character check-ins

### Bunny

Narrator; living in a garret, writing articles on prison life; receives a telegram from his relative and applies for a male nurse position.

### Dr. Theobald

The patient's doctor; interviews Bunny and introduces him to the invalid.

### A. J. Raffles

Revealed at the end of the chapter as the invalid patient; Bunny recognizes him by his distinctive smoke ring.

## Key lines

> I am still uncertain which surprised me more, the telegram calling my attention to the advertisement, or the advertisement itself.

Bunny is equally astonished by the telegram urging him to see the ad and by the ad itself.

_Opening line sets up the dual surprise that leads to the chapter's revelation._

> I cannot repeat what I said. I have no idea what I did. I only know—I only knew—that it was A. J. Raffles in the flesh!

Bunny is so shocked to recognize Raffles that he cannot recall his own reaction.

_Climactic moment of the chapter, revealing the invalid's true identity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se/chapters/i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se/chapters