A QUESTION OF TRUST
THEME
This story is about a thief who gets robbed by another fellow thief. Horace Danby, a thief steals
only once a year. He is fond of books and spends most of his money on buying them. Also, he
plans accurately before attempting any burglary. Before his burglary attempt at a big house, he
took all precautions well before entering the house and breaking the safe. A lady thief cheated
him while claiming to be the owner of the house. Horace eventually ends up in prison only to
regret the way that a man should not trust anyone, particularly someone from his own
profession.
SUMMARY
Horace Danby, a fifty-year old man, is a locksmith. Fifteen years ago, he was arrested for
stealing jewels. He was healthy except for attacks of hay fever in summer. He had a great love
for books. In order to buy expensive books she used to rob a safe every year. He planned to rob
a house. He studied the house in full detail. Then one day, every member of the family had
gone to the movie he entered the house and opened the safe. While he was wondering
whether to collect pictures instead of books, the flowers on the table created trouble for him,
as he was allergic to them. He sneezed. Then, suddenly he heard a voice that enquired about
his sneeze. Horace was startled now that a very pretty lady, who seemed to be the owner, had
caught him red-handed. She was ready to set him free on a condition. She asked him to give her
the jewels as she had to attend a party and had forgotten the code to open it. Horace obeyed
her. After some time, the police came to arrest him as he had made the mistake of opening the
safe without gloves. They were able to arrest him because of his fingerprints. Nobody believed
him when he said he the wife of the owner of the house had claimed the jewellery from him.
The wife of the owner turned out to be and lady, which made Horace realise that he had been
fooled by another thief. Since then he did not believe that there is honour among thieves.
Short Answer Type Questions
1. How were flowers hindering Horace in his work?
Horace suffered from hay fever and was allergic to some flowers. On smelling the flowers, he
started sneezing and was caught red-handed by another thief.
2. Why did Horace Danby feel sure of his success in that year's robbery?
Horace Danby felt sure of his success in that year's robbery too, because he had planned his
work carefully. He studied every detail of the house. He had chosen an appropriate place and
time for the robbery.
3. What story did the lady tell Horace to get the jewels?
The lady told Horace an interesting story. She told that her jewels were lying in the safe which
she needed at once. She also told that she had forgotten the numbers to open the safe.
4. Did the young lady expect Horace to be caught after the theft?
Yes, the young lady knew that Horace would be caught. As he forgot to put on his gloves.
Naturally his finger prints would lead the police towards him. Horace's arrest would not let
anyone think that she was the thief. So she was to be benefitted by his arrest.
Long Answer Type Question
1. What were Horace Danby's plans for his latest robbery? [Delhi 2020]
Horace Danby was not a typical thief. He planned his act of burglary meticulously. He always
studied his target carefully. He planned his robbery of Shotover Grange carefully. He studied
the situation of rooms, electric fittings and other aspects well in advance. He collected details
from different magazines and articles. He was aware about the safe which had jewels worth
fifteen thousand pounds. He knew the family was on vacation in London. He also knew that all
the servants had gone for a movie. He knew the place of the keys too. When the right time
came he struck his plan but outwitted by the lady in red. His plan failed and he was arrested.
