The Marionettes by O. Henry. Short summary

5 seconds

Dr. Spencer is in the robbery business. One day he is asked to help a man who is not feeling well. The doctor learns that there is a large sum of money in the patient’s house, so he decides to rob him.

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At night a policeman stops a suspicious man. He turns out to be Charles Spencer, a doctor. The policeman tells him about an order that has been issued for special precautions, since the number of thefts and robberies has increased considerably.

Dr. Spencer had already lived in the neighborhood for two years. During that time he had managed to earn a good reputation. The neighbors considered the man a model citizen and a good family man. The hero carried a spotless nesser with him, inside of which was a new set of tools used by safecrackers.

To only a few of his friends was the doctor known by the nickname «The Greek Dandy.» Among the thieving fraternity, he was the one who, thanks to his high position, could obtain the information needed for future thefts.

A Negro woman meets the doctor on the street and asks for Miss Amy’s help. It turns out that the woman’s husband suddenly became ill. As he examines the patient, Spencer notices the rich furnishings and discovers that a large sum of money is in the house.