The master criminal

"The Master Criminal" by G. Sidney Paternoster is a tale set in the early 1900s that centers on Lynton Hora, a brilliant mastermind of thievery, and his son, Guy, whom he is guiding into a life of crime. The story examines themes of right and wrong, the temptations of a life of crime, and how a parent can sway a child's life. Initially, the story opens in Hora's apartment, where he and a woman named Myra anxiously anticipate Guy's return from a risky assignment. Hora shows his harsh view of the world, while Myra worries about Guy. Their discussion brings attention to the emotional risks at hand and the confusing moral lessons Guy has received from Hora, who has taught him to view the world and life through a perspective that muddies the difference between what is good and what is bad. As tension rises, it comes to light that Guy is not only trying to earn respect in the criminal world but is also uninformed of the family relationships and allegiances that surround him.