The Black Mask · Character

A. J. Raffles

A gentleman cricketer turned gentleman burglar, Raffles moves through London drawing rooms and rooftops with the same unhurried nerve and a genius for never being caught.

major

Also known as Raffles, old Raffles, Mr. Raffles, Raffles the burglar

First appearance: No Sinecure

As a major figure in The Black Mask, A. J. Raffles is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Restless and bored with his quiet life, Raffles decides to plan a burglary for excitement.

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Raffles is the magnetic center of these stories: a celebrated athlete whose secret life as a thief depends on perfect composure, careful planning, and the loyalty of his friend Bunny. He is pursued not only by the police but by shadowy Italians connected to the Camorra, and his cool wit never quite hides the danger closing in. Watching him work is watching a man who treats crime as another sport, and the early stories hinge on whether his nerve will outlast his luck.

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Character Web

18 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Faustina Affair Characters
Raffles's Social Circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Raffles, despi…

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In the story

A. J. Raffles appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

No Sinecure
Restless and bored with his quiet life, Raffles decides to plan a burglary for excitement.
I
Revealed at the end of the chapter as the invalid patient; Bunny recognizes him by his distinctive smoke ring.
II
Reveals his survival and alias as Mr. Maturin; explains his scheme to find Bunny and his ongoing deception to avoid capture.
III
Orchestrates the deception of the jeweler, using a false identity and a clever box-switching trick to steal the gems.
A Jubilee Present
Steals the gold cup from the British Museum, becomes infatuated with it, and devises a plan to hide it.
The Fate of Faustina
Narrates his passionate yet tragic relationship with Faustina, her murder, and his revenge.
The Last Laugh
Reveals he has been tracked by the Camorra; orchestrates the cover-up of the deaths.
To Catch a Thief
Leads the investigation to identify and confront the thief.
I
Proposes a partnership with the unknown thief, identifies Lord Ernest Belville as the suspect, and plans to intercept him.
Chapter II
Leads the burglary, discovers the hollow clubs, and impersonates a detective to outwit Lord Ernest.
III
Rescues Bunny, outmaneuvers Belville, and steps across a parapet during a storm.
An Old Flame
Recognized by an old flame, risking exposure of his identity and past.
I
Raffles is confronted by an old flame, Jacques Saillard, and struggles to maintain his disguise as an invalid while protecting his secret identity.
II
Feigns illness and later death to escape Jacques Saillard, buys off Dr. Theobald, and reunites with Bunny in disguise.
The Wrong House
Gets his hand caught while cutting through a door panel; is freed by Bunny's intervention; uses chloroform to subdue the boy.
The Knees of the Gods
Enlists under an assumed name in the Boer War, displays heroism, and meets his end.
I
Expresses frustration with the war interrupting his work; decides to dye his hair and enlist.
II
Raffles is a capable soldier, loyal friend, and keen observer who subdues Corporal Connal in a fight and later reveals his plan to expose Connal as a spy.
Chapter III
Leads the capture of Corporal Connal and confesses his true identity to the commanding officer.
IV
Tends to Bunny's wound, continues firing, reminisces about the war's beginning.

Chapter companion notes

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