"Le Premier Pas" is a short story by E. W. Hornung, and features the gentleman thief A. J. Raffles, and his companion and biographer, Bunny Manders.

[1] This and "Wilful Murder" were the two stories in the collection not published previously in magazine format.

He is removed from play for some days due to a hand injury; the surgeon who attends him mentions there is a man named Raffles who is manager at a bank, recently promoted to a new location in Yea.

Upon arriving late in the township, Raffles is met by a bank manager, who was awaiting him.

I had determined to rob that bank instead of going to bed, and to be back in Melbourne for breakfast if the doctor's mare could do it."

When he hears Ewbank snoring, Raffles exits the bank to prepare his horse for a speedy departure.

Raffles, who brought a revolver, goes to meet the threat, but retreats at the sound Ewbank's approach.