The title comes from Chesterton’s short story. The ending, too:
“Birmingham,” answered the actor, puffing a cigarette. “Didn’t I tell you I was a Futurist? I really do believe in those things if I believe in anything. Change, bustle and new things every morning. I am going to Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Hull, Huddersfield, Glasgow, Chicago–in short, to enlightened, energetic, civilized society!”
“In short,” said Muscari, “to the real Paradise of Thieves.”
Needless to say, thieves swarm around energy and wealth, petroleum and water. Maybe I’m evoking old accounts from the above referred enlightened, energetic, civilized society. Or perhaps, more likely, I’m just thinking of Internet, another nice playground for thieves.