A Retrieved Reformation

Jimmy Valentine is the story's enigmatic protagonist. A notorious and highly skilled safecracker known to law enforcement as Prisoner 9762, Jimmy's kindness, youthful appearance, and good nature garners people's trust. He has no apparent interests other than opening safes until he falls in love with Annabel Adams. For the second half of the story, Jimmy invents a new identity as an honest man, becoming Ralph D. Spencer, a shoe shop owner.