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Excerpt ​

Excerpt from The Amateur Cracksman, by E. W. Hornung

"Not quite," was the reply, made with a little start, and a change of
color that came too late. "To tell you the truth, though, I half
thought you meant it, and I was never more fascinated in my life. I
never dreamt you had such stuff in you, Bunny! No, I'm hanged if I let
you go now. And you'd better not try that game again, for you won't
catch me stand and look on a second time. We must think of some way
out of the mess. I had no idea you were a chap of that sort! There,
let me have the gun."

One of his hands fell kindly on my shoulder, while the other slipped
into my overcoat pocket, and I suffered him to deprive me of my weapon
without a murmur. Nor was this simply because Raffles had the subtle
power of making himself irresistible at will. He was beyond comparison
the most masterful man whom I have ever known; yet my acquiescence was
due to more than the mere subjection of the weaker nature to the
stronger. The forlorn hope which had brought me to the Albany was
turned as by magic into an almost staggering sense of safety. Raffles
would help me after all! A. J. Raffles would be my friend! It was as
though all the world had come round suddenly to my side; so far
therefore from resisting his action, I caught and clasped his hand with
a fervor as uncontrollable as the frenzy which had preceded it.

"God bless you!" I cried. "Forgive me for everything. I will tell you
the truth. I DID think you might help me in my extremity, though I
well knew that I had no claim upon you. Still--for the old school's
sake--the sake of old times--I thought you might give me another
chance. If you wouldn't I meant to blow out my brains--and will still
if you change your mind!"

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Amateur Cracksman by E. W. Hornung ​

Context of the Source ​

The Amateur Cracksman (1899) is a collection of short stories by E. W. Hornung, featuring the gentleman thief A. J. Raffles and his accomplice (and narrator) Harry "Bunny" Manders. The stories blend crime, adventure, and psychological depth, often exploring themes of loyalty, moral ambiguity, and the allure of charismatic leadership.

This excerpt comes from the first story, "The Ides of March", where Bunny—desperate and suicidal—confronts Raffles, his old schoolmate, in an attempt to either secure his help or die by his own hand. The passage captures a pivotal moment in their relationship, where Raffles asserts his dominance and Bunny submits entirely to his influence.

Themes in the Excerpt ​

  1. Power and Submission

    • Raffles exerts effortless control over Bunny, who surrenders his gun without resistance. The dynamic is not just physical but psychological—Bunny is fascinated by Raffles’ authority.
    • The line "He was beyond comparison the most masterful man whom I have ever known" underscores Raffles’ charismatic dominance, a recurring theme in their relationship.

  2. Desperation and Redemption

    • Bunny arrives at Raffles’ residence (the Albany) in a state of desperation, ready to kill himself if refused help. His emotional outburst ("God bless you! Forgive me for everything") reveals his vulnerability and dependence on Raffles.
    • Raffles’ intervention transforms Bunny’s "forlorn hope" into a "staggering sense of safety", suggesting that Raffles becomes a savior figure—though morally ambiguous.

  3. Loyalty and the Past

    • Bunny appeals to their shared history ("for the old school’s sake"), implying that their bond transcends mere acquaintance. This nostalgia is a key motivator in their criminal partnership.
    • Raffles’ decision to help (despite Bunny’s threats) hints at a code of honor—one that values loyalty over legality.

  4. Moral Ambiguity

    • Raffles is a criminal, yet Bunny’s relief at his intervention frames him as a hero. The text blurs the line between villainy and virtue, a hallmark of Hornung’s storytelling.

Literary Devices & Stylistic Analysis ​

  1. First-Person Narration (Bunny’s Perspective)

    • The excerpt is told from Bunny’s viewpoint, making his emotional turmoil immediate and visceral. His hyperbolic reactions ("as though all the world had come round suddenly to my side") emphasize his psychological dependence on Raffles.

  2. Dramatic Irony & Tension

    • Raffles’ initial response ("Not quite") is deliberately vague, creating suspense. His "little start" and "change of color" suggest he was testing Bunny’s resolve, adding layers to their interaction.

  3. Imagery of Control & Surrender

    • "One of his hands fell kindly on my shoulder, while the other slipped into my overcoat pocket" – The physical touch contrasts with the invasive act of disarming Bunny, symbolizing Raffles’ dual nature (gentle yet dominating).
    • "I suffered him to deprive me of my weapon without a murmur" – The word "suffered" implies passive submission, reinforcing Bunny’s helplessness.

  4. Metaphor & Hyperbole

    • "The forlorn hope… turned as by magic into an almost staggering sense of safety" – The metaphor of magic suggests Raffles’ almost supernatural influence over Bunny.
    • "God bless you!" – Bunny’s religious exclamation elevates Raffles to a messianic figure, despite his criminal nature.

  5. Foreshadowing

    • Bunny’s warning ("if you change your mind [I will] blow out my brains") hints at his future dependence on Raffles, setting up their codependent dynamic in later stories.

Significance of the Passage ​

  1. Establishing the Raffles-Bunny Dynamic

    • This moment defines their relationship: Raffles as the charismatic leader, Bunny as the devoted follower. Their bond is unequal but mutual—Bunny needs Raffles’ guidance, while Raffles enjoys Bunny’s admiration and utility.

  2. Moral Complexity of the "Gentleman Thief"

    • Raffles is not a traditional hero, yet Bunny’s worship of him challenges conventional morality. The passage glamorizes crime by framing Raffles as a noble figure who rescues the desperate.

  3. Psychological Realism

    • Hornung captures Bunny’s emotional instability with raw intensity. His suicidal ideation, relief at submission, and fervent gratitude make him a complex, flawed narrator, adding depth to the story.

  4. Social Commentary on Class & Crime

    • Raffles is a gentleman by birth, yet a thief by choice, critiquing Victorian hypocrisy—where wealth and status often mask immorality. Bunny, though less refined, is morally conflicted, making their partnership a study in class and complicity.

Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters ​

This passage is foundational to The Amateur Cracksman because it:

  • Introduces the core dynamic between Raffles and Bunny.
  • Blurs moral lines, making the reader sympathize with criminals.
  • Uses psychological depth to explore power, loyalty, and desperation.
  • Sets the tone for the series—adventurous, morally ambiguous, and deeply human.

Hornung’s writing elevates the crime genre by focusing on character psychology rather than just heists, making Raffles and Bunny one of literature’s most fascinating criminal duos.