Gentlemen and Players (short story)

"Gentlemen and Players"
1898 Collier's illustration by E. V. Nadherny
Author	E. W. Hornung
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Series	A. J. Raffles
Genre(s)	Crime fiction
Publisher	Cassell & Co
Media type	Print (Magazine)
Publication date	August 1898
Preceded by	"A Costume Piece"
Followed by	"Le Premier Pas"

"Gentlemen and Players" is a short story by E. W. Hornung, and features the gentleman thief A. J. Raffles, and his companion and biographer, Bunny Manders. The story was first published in August 1898 by Cassell's Magazine. The story was also included in the collection The Amateur Cracksman, published by Methuen & Co. Ltd in London, and Charles Scribner's Sons in New York, both in 1899.

— Raffles, on the subject of cricket

While Raffles is out during a game at Lord's, a young cricketer named Crowley approaches Raffles. Raffles learns that Crowley's father, Lord Amersteth, is looking for cricketers, such as Raffles, to play on Crowley's team in games celebrating Crowley's twenty-first birthday at his father's estate, Milchester Abbey, in Dorset. Raffles persuades Lord Amersteth to also invite Bunny to play. Bunny, who secretly cannot play cricket, is horrified, but accepts. Raffles returns to the field to bowl, and plays excellently. Afterwards, Raffles reveals that he intends to steal while at Lord Amersteth's.

A month later, Raffles helps Bunny practice cricket. Before they arrive, they briefly take shelter from rain at an inn. However, Raffles immediately leaves the inn at the sight of someone Bunny doesn't recognize.

At Milchester, Bunny is overwhelmed by the prestige of the party, while Raffles mingles easily. At dinner, the rector's talkative daughter confides in Bunny that a Scotland Yard detective is on the lookout for two well-known thieves in the area. Bunny, horrified, thinks that the man at the inn must be the detective. The rector's daughter points out the five thousand pound necklace that one guest, Lady Melrose, is wearing. Bunny is unable to voice his concerns to Raffles for two hours. Meanwhile, Bunny also endures the conversation of a Scottish photographer named Clephane.

Afterwards, Bunny goes to inform Raffles about the detective; however, he discovers Raffles has already been informed by Crowley. Moreover, the detective is actually Clephane, really a disguised Inspector Mackenzie. The man at the inn is a famous thief, and the leader of the gang Mackenzie is after. Raffles is excited by the situation, but Bunny makes Raffles promise not to take any risks.

The week continues normally. Bunny enjoys himself. On the cricket field, a lucky catch early on assures him his pride, despite his mediocre gameplay.