Lord Lister No. 0027: Letter R. 100

A seasoned bank director is jolted from his routine when a bold letter arrives, signed only “R. 100.” The missive, penned by the infamous and highly clever thief John Raffles, declares his intention to relieve the Bank of England of ten thousand pounds, unless the institution cooperates with his unusual payment plan. The dialogue that follows pits the director’s frantic caution against the dead‑pan grin of his long‑serving secretary, who treats the criminal’s audacity almost as a business proposition.

The story unfolds as a witty battle of wits, revealing Raffles’s reputation for flawless heists, his penchant for theatrical announcements, and his surprising moral code that channels stolen fortunes into charitable deeds. Listeners are drawn into the tense atmosphere of the bank’s corridors, feeling the pull between fear of scandal and fascination with a mastermind who always seems one step ahead, all while the stakes rise with every clever remark.