First published in 1912. According to Wikipedia: "Ernest William Hornung (7 June 1866 – 22 March 1921) was an English author and poet perhaps best known for writing the A. J. Raffles series of stories about a gentleman thief in late 19th-century London. Hornung was educated at Uppingham School; as a result of poor health he left the school in December 1883 to travel to Sydney, where he stayed for ...