# The Wrong House explained — The Black Mask

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

## What happens

Raffles and Bunny attempt to burgle a house in Surbiton, but due to the fog they mistakenly target the wrong house, which is an army crammer's residence full of boys. Raffles gets his hand caught while cutting through a door panel, and the boys hold him prisoner. Bunny, wearing a mask, manages to bluff his way in, strangle the boy holding Raffles, and free him. They lock the boy in the pantry and escape by pretending to be helpful cyclists, though they are nearly discovered by the crammer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Identity

The burglary attempt and the use of masks highlight the duality of the protagonists as both gentlemen and criminals.

### Risk and Thrill

The chapter is filled with tension and danger, from Raffles getting caught to Bunny's desperate improvisation.

### Deception and Performance

Bunny's quick thinking and lies to the boys and the crammer demonstrate the performative nature of their criminal exploits.

## Character check-ins

### A. J. Raffles

Gets his hand caught while cutting through a door panel; is freed by Bunny's intervention; uses chloroform to subdue the boy.

### Bunny

Narrates the chapter; bluffs the boys, strangles Beefy to free Raffles, and helps orchestrate the escape.

### Beefy

The boy who holds Raffles prisoner; is strangled by Bunny and then chloroformed by Raffles.

## Key lines

> My hand's held!

Raffles exclaims that his hand is trapped.

_Key moment of crisis in the burglary._

> Curse the fog—it's done me.

Raffles curses the fog for causing them to enter the wrong house.

_Explains the central mistake of the chapter._

> I am not proud of it; the act was as vile as act could be; but I was not going to see Raffles taken

Bunny admits his shame at strangling Beefy but justifies it as necessary to save Raffles.

_Reveals Bunny's moral conflict and loyalty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se/chapters/the-wrong-house
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_mask_se/chapters