Introduction
“Nine Points of the Law” is a smart and fun story written by E.W. Hornung. It’s about a clever thief named Raffles and his friend Bunny. Raffles is not a typical criminal—he’s polite, well-dressed, and plays cricket.
In this story, he is asked to get back a painting that was stolen long ago. The man who owns it can’t prove it in court, so Raffles uses tricks and charm to take it back from the person who has it now. The story shows how sometimes the law doesn’t help people, even when they’re right. It makes us think about what’s fair, what’s legal, and how those two things don’t always match.
What Happens in the Story
The story begins with Bunny Manders, who has just come out of jail. His friend Raffles, a clever and charming thief, offers him a new job. A rich art collector named Mr. Craggs wants Raffles to recover a stolen painting—a famous Velasquez—that legally belongs to him. But the painting is now with a young lawyer named Addenbrooke, who got it in a dishonest way. Craggs can’t prove in court that it’s his, so he asks Raffles to get it back secretly.
Raffles and Bunny dress up and pretend to be someone else to enter Addenbrooke’s office. Using charm and clever tricks, they find and steal the painting. The story’s title refers to the saying “Possession is nine points of the law,” meaning that the person who holds something is often seen as its owner, even if they got it unfairly.
Main Ideas and What They Mean
Hornung’s story is full of irony and comments on society:
- Fairness vs. Following the Rules: Raffles breaks the law, but he often brings about a kind of fair outcome. Craggs might be the real owner, but he can’t get his painting back legally. So, Raffles steps in.
- Is Stealing Always Wrong? The story makes it hard to say who is good and who is bad. Raffles is a thief, but the story makes him seem more honest than the lawyers.
- Social Class and Power: Raffles, being a gentleman, uses his social status and smarts to fool people. Hornung is pointing out how the social system in Britain worked, showing how being charming and having advantages could be more important than the law.
Why the Story is Important
- Hornung’s Raffles stories were new because they showed a thief as a main character that people could like.
- “Nine Points of the Law” is a good example of how Hornung could mix excitement, humour, and complicated moral questions.
- This story inspired other books about charming criminals, like “The Saint” by Leslie Charteris, and even modern stories about heists.
Main Characters
| Character | What They Do in the Story |
|---|---|
| A.J. Raffles | The gentleman thief; plans the theft of the painting |
| Bunny Manders | The narrator; Raffles’s best friend; provides humour and explores moral questions |
| Mr. Craggs | An art collector; pays Raffles to recover his stolen painting |
| Addenbrooke | A young lawyer; currently in possession of the stolen painting |
Possession vs. Ownership: A Legal Dilemma
The story dramatizes the maxim “Possession is nine points of the law,” which implies that having physical control over property often outweighs abstract legal claims. In the narrative, Mr. Craggs is the rightful owner of a stolen painting, but because he lacks proof and the painting is in Addenbrooke’s possession, the law cannot help him. This reflects a real-world legal challenge: courts often require tangible evidence and formal documentation, and without these, justice may be inaccessible.
Raffles as a Shadow Arbiter
Raffles steps in as a kind of rogue arbitrator—he bypasses legal procedure to restore what he sees as moral balance. His actions are technically criminal, yet they serve a corrective function. Hornung uses this to critique the rigidity of legal systems: sometimes, the law protects the wrong party simply because they hold possession. Raffles’ intervention suggests that justice may require bending the rules when the system fails.
Legal Irony and Social Commentary
Hornung’s irony lies in the fact that a thief is more effective than the law in delivering justice. The barrister Addenbrooke, a symbol of legal authority, is portrayed as morally compromised, while Raffles, the criminal, acts with integrity (albeit outside the law). This inversion challenges readers to reconsider who truly upholds justice: is it the one who follows the law, or the one who restores fairness?
Broader Implications
- Legal Formalism vs. Equity: The story highlights the gap between legal formalism (strict adherence to rules) and equitable justice (fair outcomes).
- Power and Privilege: Raffles’ success relies on charm, wit, and social standing—suggesting that law is not always blind, but influenced by class and charisma.
- Moral Ambiguity: Hornung doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, he invites readers to wrestle with the idea that legality and morality don’t always align.
Conclusion
“Nine Points of the Law” is a smart and morally interesting story that makes you think about what justice really means. Raffles cleverly bends the rules, and Hornung makes us wonder if the law always leads to what is fair. The story remains a classic in crime fiction, offering both enjoyment and thought-provoking ideas.
