Raffles

A.J. Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman, falls in love with Gwen and decides to give up his criminal life. He gifts her his latest theft, a diamond bracelet, and resolves to lead an honest life for her sake. This marks a decisive turning point in his double existence.

To help his friend Bunny, who has a gambling debt, Raffles agrees to join Bunny as a weekend guest at Lord and Lady Melrose's estate. The plan is to steal the celebrated Melrose necklace to raise the money Bunny needs. This sets the stage for a high stakes jewel heist.

A Scottish Yard inspector, Mackenzie, arrives with his men, tipped off to the plot. The presence of law enforcement sharpens the tension and threatens to derail the plan. The estate becomes a pressure cooker of suspicion.

Gwen, the aristocratic love interest, unexpectedly shows up at the Melrose party and becomes entangled in the scheme. Her presence destabilizes Raffles' resolve to reform. She also becomes a potential ally as the night unfolds.

Head burglar Crawshaw infiltrates the estate and succeeds in stealing the necklace, triggering the central conflict. Raffles manages to take the necklace back from the thief, turning the theft on its head. The necklace becomes the focus of the night.

The alarm sounds and Crawshaw is caught by the police, yet he remains silent to protect his own score. The police close in on the guests, escalating the danger for everyone. Tension rises as the attempted crime is exposed.

With the necklace missing, Mackenzie confines all the guests to the estate, and then considers letting Crawshaw escape to draw out Raffles. The inspector uses stratagems to pressure the suspects and exposes the shifting loyalties. The stage is set for a dramatic turn of events.

Gwen overhears Mackenzie tell a man that Crawshaw will escape to lead him to Raffles. She decides to warn Raffles and travels back to London to do so. Her bold move marks her transition from bystander to pivotal ally in the game.

Mackenzie arrives at Raffles' home and finds Gwen hiding in a guest room, exposing the danger to both Raffles and Gwen alike. Gwen learns that Raffles possesses the necklace, though she still does not know why. The threat of arrest intensifies their situation.

Crawshaw appears on the rooftop, drawing Mackenzie away in pursuit. He then confronts Raffles and takes him at gunpoint, but Raffles persuades him that fleeing with the necklace is too risky with the police around. Raffles helps Crawshaw escape, maintaining the illusion of control.

Mackenzie publicly accuses Raffles of being the Amateur Cracksman, trying to pin the crime on him. Raffles hints that Bunny could supply the needed 1,000 pounds, prompting Bunny to produce the money. The cash exchange buys time and heightens the tension without clearing Raffles.

Gwen declares her love and vows to accompany Raffles on the run, despite knowing his crimes. Raffles makes one last move by escaping in Mackenzie's frock coat and hat, deceiving the pursuing officers. They arrange to meet in Paris, beginning a new life on the run together.