Do Butlers Burgle Banks?
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Books |
Do Butlers Burgle Banks? is a novel authored by P. G. Wodehouse, initially released in the United States on 5 August 1968 through Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, followed by its UK publication on 19 September 1968 by Barrie & Jenkins, London.
The narrative centers on Mike Bond, who inherits a bankrupt bank and fears discovery of its insolvency. He secretly wishes for a theft to occur that would conceal the deficit. Unbeknownst to him, his newly appointed butler, Horace Appleby, is actually the leader of a burglary ring.
Plot
Residing in the London suburb of Valley Fields, Horace Appleby masquerades as a butler while simultaneously scouting for jewels on behalf of his gang of thieves. He declines to collaborate with Charlie Yost, a safe-cracker who carries firearms, preferring less violent methods. Other gang members include Llewellyn "Basher" Evans, an expert safe-blower, and Ferdinand Ripley, nicknamed "Ferdie the Fly," a skilled climber. At the Wellingford races near Mallow Hall, Horace encounters Mike Bond, the new proprietor of both the estate and Bond's Bank, which is financially insolvent. Mike employs Ada Cootes as his secretary and resides with his injured aunt Isobel Bond and her nurse Jill Willard.
When Ada recovers Horace's stolen wallet, he leverages his butler role at Mallow Hall to orchestrate a plan to rob Bond's Bank. Jill grows suspicious of Horace but refrains from alerting Mike due to her frustration with his aloofness. Horace proposes marriage to Ada; she initially feels pleased but ultimately rejects him after Jill reveals his criminal past.
Jill overhears Mike confessing to trustees General Sir Frederick Featherstone and Augustus "Gussie" Mortlake that risky investments have left the bank £100,000 in debt—disclosure would mean prison for Mike. An insurance policy promises £100,000 if Mike suffers harm with intent to kill. Despite this, Jill wishes to marry Mike; he refuses out of fear of incarceration. Mike hopes for a robbery to disguise the shortfall; Jill suggests Ada use her knowledge of the safe combination to facilitate it.
Horace creates a distraction by shooting a window at Mallow Hall, diverting police attention there. Basher retires after a religious conversion and relinquishes his criminal earnings; Charlie returns to claim Basher’s share and rejoins the gang. Charlie attempts to rob trustee Gussie Mortlake, who contemplates hiring Charlie to assassinate Mike for insurance money. A policeman interrupts the attempt, but Gussie manages the situation; Charlie offers his services.
Jill and Ada initiate the bank robbery; Ada faints inside the safe as Horace arrives with Ferdie, Montgomery "Smithy" Smith, and an American named Frank. Basher intervenes by expelling Charlie and closing the safe despite seeing Ada inside. Horace contacts Mike to inform him of the burglary; Mike initially doubts the claim until Aunt Isobel remarks skeptically, "Doesn't sound likely. Do butlers burgle banks?" Horace rescues Ada using the safe combination provided by Mike.
Jill is introduced to the gang; Frank escapes. Jill apologizes for doubting Horace; after he agrees to abandon criminal activities, she encourages Ada to accept his marriage proposal. Superintendent Jessop investigates but accepts their explanation attributing events to an audit.
Mike confides everything to Jill; Ada informs Horace about Jill’s scheme, prompting him to instruct bringing the suitcase containing money to Mallow Hall. Jessop returns accompanied by Scotland Yard Sergeant Claude Potter; Horace claims the bank was robbed after an audit, though Potter remains doubtful.
Mike attempts to cancel Gussie's assassination plot via Charlie, but Frank takes over and arrives at Mallow Hall’s rear entrance intending to shoot Mike. Jessop and Potter arrive; during the confrontation Potter is shot in the arm and hospitalized.
With police scrutiny increasing, Mike fears imprisonment if he keeps possession of the suitcase but knows returning it would cause the bank’s collapse. To save Mike from financial ruin, Horace, Ferdie, and Smithy invest their personal savings into Bond’s Bank.
Publication history
The initial US edition's dust jacket showcased artwork created by John Alcorn, whereas the first UK edition's cover was designed by Osbert Lancaster.
External links
- The Russian Wodehouse Society's webpage, featuring a list of characters