Raffles. The Amateur Cracksman

Raffles is both a gentleman and a criminal, which makes for a fascinating moral ambiguity. I wonder what motivated Hornung to shape him this way and how that influenced the stories.

His charisma makes it hard not to root for him, but the moral implications are complex. How do others reconcile enjoying his adventures while knowing he's breaking the law?

The setting feels so vividly atmospheric, almost like a character itself. I'm curious whether Hornung aimed to comment on societal norms or simply loved the era's intrigue.