Lord Lister No. 0031: Vier Vaders
1910
A serialized crime novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the master thief John C. Raffles, known as ''Lord Lister'' or ''The Great Unknown,'' and follows his clever escapades and cunning adventures, primarily set against the backdrop of Berlin. This tale likely appeals to readers interested in classic gentleman-thief characters, intricate criminal plots, and a blend of action, mystery, and humor. The opening of the book introduces two elegantly dressed Englishmen arriving at a grand hotel in Berlin, quickly revealing one of them to be John C. Raffles. Raffles soon sets about executing a complex scheme: he pawns fake diamonds at various pawnshops under an assumed identity and then, disguised as a police officer, recovers them under official pretenses—outsmarting both pawnbrokers and police. The narrative then shifts as Raffles rescues a young woman, Elvira Manthé, from a dangerous situation in a criminal underworld tavern. Learning she has multiple potential fathers among Berlin’s elite, Raffles undertakes bold and humorous manipulations to secure her a future, including tricking prominent men into acknowledging her as their daughter and orchestrating legal troubles for those who resist. The opening is rich in action, wit, and introduces a series of intricate cons and daring escapes, foregrounding Raffles as both an audacious criminal and a protector of the downtrodden.
