Lord Lister No. 0016: Bij de Parijsche Apachen

by Theo von Blankensee

"Lord Lister No. 0016: Bij de Parijsche Apachen" by Blankensee, Hageman, and Matull is a fictional novel likely written in the late 19th century. The narrative centers around the character of Lieutenant Bastien, a judicial officer in Paris who becomes entangled in the hunt for the infamous criminal Lord Lister, also known as Raffles. This intriguing tale unfolds within the context of criminal activity in Paris, particularly involving the notorious Apache gang. The opening of the story sets the stage with Bastien feeling bored and unchallenged in his mundane job until he receives an unexpected visit from James Baxter of Scotland Yard, who bears news of Raffles being in Paris. This news ignites hope within Bastien for a thrilling case to solve, as he longs for a significant challenge. The plot thickens further when a mysterious letter from Raffles himself arrives, revealing his location and taunting the officials. This initial setup effectively establishes the stakes and the tense atmosphere as Bastien and Baxter embark on a mission that intertwines policing, crime, and the thrill of cat-and-mouse games with the elusive Raffles.