The Story of the Treasure Seekers · Chapter
The Robber and the Burglar explained
The Bastable children, home alone with a fire in Noël's room, discuss robbers and burglars.
What happens
The Bastable children, home alone with a fire in Noël's room, discuss robbers and burglars. Hearing noises downstairs, they fear a real intruder. Oswald suggests it might be a cat, but they eventually discover a burglar. A noble robber (the 'Robber' from earlier) surprises the burglar and holds him at bay. Alice pleads for the burglar's release, and after a promise to reform, the robber lets him go.
Themes in this chapter
Childhood Adventure and Imagination
The children's discussion of robbers and their subsequent real-life encounter with a burglar blends imaginative play with genuine adventure.
Innocence and Moral Development
Alice's plea for the burglar's release and the robber's decision to let him go highlight the children's developing sense of mercy and justice.
The Contrast Between Children and Adults
The children's naive bravery and moral reasoning contrast with the burglar's desperate pragmatism and the robber's worldly experience.
Characters to notice
- Oswald Bastable
Leads the group down to investigate the noise; suggests it might be a cat; later accompanies the robber to confront the burglar.
- Dicky Bastable
Volunteers to go downstairs with Oswald; helps rattle tongs and shovel to intimidate the burglar.
- Noël Bastable
Suggests asking a robber politely to leave; stays behind due to his cold; contributes to the discussion about robbers.
- Alice Bastable
Asks what to do if a robber is present; later pleads for the burglar's release, appealing to the robber's sense of family.
- H. O. Bastable
Says he would kill a robber with boiling oil; insists on joining the group downstairs.
- Dora Bastable
Expresses fear and suggests calling the police; stays upstairs with Noël.
Key passages
“What would you do if there was a robber? said Alice. H. O. said he would kill him with boiling oil; but Alice explained that she meant a real robber—now—this minute—in the house.”
Alice asks what the children would do if a robber were actually in the house right then. H. O. suggests killing him with boiling oil, but Alice clarifies she means a real, immediate threat.
Highlights the children's imaginative yet naive approach to danger.
“I know it's not ghosts, and I don't believe it's robbers. I expect it's a stray cat got in when the coals came this morning, and she's been hiding in the cellar, and now she's moving about. Let's go down and see.”
Oswald rationalizes the noise as a stray cat to calm the others and proposes they investigate downstairs.
Shows Oswald's attempt to be brave and practical in the face of fear.
“Surrender! You are discovered! Surrender, or I'll fire! Throw up your hands!”
The robber dramatically commands the burglar to give up, brandishing a toy pistol and poker.
Illustrates the theatrical and heroic manner of the robber, reminiscent of adventure stories.
“Oh, do let him go! If he's got a little girl like me, whatever will she do? Suppose it was Father!”
Alice begs the robber to release the burglar, empathizing with the burglar's supposed family and imagining her own father in that situation.
Demonstrates Alice's compassion and moral reasoning, prioritizing mercy over punishment.
