Summaries

Synopsis

Raffles, the amateur cracksman, educated, with entry into the best society circles, just steals for the love of stealing and for the excitement of the chase. His greatest enjoyment consists in outwitting the police and amateur detectives who seek to capture him and reveal hisidentity. As the early part of the story unfolds, Raffles is seen in pursuit of an international swindler, who has come into the possession of a priceless ruby. The swindler takes passage on a steamship for abroad, and Raffles does likewise. When miles from land Raffles finds that the swindler has hidden the ruby in the cavity in his shoe, Raffles manages to get into the stateroom of the international swindler and steals the ruby. Being certain that there will be an outcry on shipboard over the theft, Raffles empties a cartridge from his revolver of the powder and bullet and substitutes the ruby in place of the bullet. There is an outcry. Raffles is searched, and the ship officer deliberately breaks the gun, releasing all the cartridges, including that containing the priceless ruby. Raffles, intent upon finishing the theft he started, grabs the cartridges from the table, puts them in his mouth, and jumps overboard, and swims to land. He saves the ruby. But in leaving the vessel he is seen by Mrs. Vidal, an English society woman. Later, Raffles reappears in London and mixes with the upper ten. In that exclusive set he again meets Mrs. Vidal, who recognizes him. She falls in love with him, and by threatening to tell of his past attempts to force him to love her. Raffles, however, is in love with Gwendolyn, and he defies Mrs. Vidal. About this time the famous Melrose jewels, the property of Lady Melrose, disappear. Raffles is a guest at the house of Lady Melrose. Mrs. Vidal, knowing of the theft of the ruby on the boat, immediately suspects that Raffles is the thief. She again threatens to expose him. He laughs at her. At this point in the story Captain Bedford, an amateur sleuth with an international reputation, becomes active. He declares that he will find the thief responsible for the Melrose robbery, and even makes a wager with Raffles that the thief will be arrested. Raffles takes the wager. Captain Bedford is certain that Raffles is the thief. Raffles is certain that Captain Bedford is sure that he is the thief. From that point the center of interest in the story is the ingenious methods used by Raffles to get the famous Melrose jewels out of his possession and at the same time have them at his disposal whenever he desires them. Finally, but not until after he losses his bet, Captain Bedford proves that Raffles took the Melrose jewels, and likewise Raffles proves that he took them to keep a professional thief from stealing them.

Moving Picture World, December 15, 1917