The Ides of March (short story)

"The Ides of March"
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	June 1898
Followed by	"A Costume Piece"

"The Ides of March" (also published as "In the Chains of Crime") is a short story by E. W. Hornung, and the first appearance of the gentleman thief A. J. Raffles, and his companion and biographer, Bunny Manders. The story was first published in June 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.

— Bunny describes his relief to have Raffles's help

"Bunny" Manders returns to the flat in the Albany where he just lost over two hundred pounds in a game of baccarat, earlier that evening. The famous cricketer A. J. Raffles, who lives there and who Bunny once fagged for at school, greets him. Bunny confesses to Raffles that he is hopelessly in debt. The checks he wrote for Raffles and the others are worthless. When Raffles does not express sympathy, Bunny tries to leave. Raffles detains him. Agitated, Bunny raises a pistol to his head to kill himself. However, Raffles unexpectedly admires the bold move, which stymies Bunny.

Raffles promises to help Bunny. He takes away Bunny's gun. However, Raffles is also hard-up; he and Bunny must now work together to find income. Bunny is astonished, but eagerly agrees to the partnership. Bunny recalls how he had helped Raffles break curfew at school; Raffles remembers this also. Raffles leaves with Bunny, ostensibly to ask for money from a friend of his.

Raffles brings Bunny to the unnamed friend's flat in Bond Street, which sits above a jeweler's shop. Bunny is reluctant, but with his own key Raffles leads him into the dark flat. Raffles takes Bunny quietly upstairs, then lights a match. Abruptly Bunny sees that the house is empty. The truth is revealed: there is no friend. Raffles is actually planning to burgle the shop of the jeweler, named Danby, underneath. Though Bunny is shocked to learn that Raffles is a burglar, he reaffirms his commitment to Raffles.

Raffles takes Bunny to the cellar, then across an outside yard to a door that Raffles forces open with a jimmy. They ascend more stairs, to another door. Raffles uses a brace and drill bit to cut around the lock. He slips his arm through and picks the iron gate behind the door with a skeleton key.