Q.9. Describe the events that took place at Shotover Grange on the day of the robbery.
Answer: On a bright July afternoon, Horace Danby arrived at Shotover Grange after carefully studying the house for two weeks. He had observed the movements of the servants and was sure that the family was away in London. When the servants left for the movies, he entered the house confidently with his tools packed neatly in a bag. He had already planned everything and expected the robbery to be as successful as his previous ones.

While he was opening the safe, a young lady suddenly appeared. She spoke calmly but firmly and claimed to be the owner of the house. She told Horace that she had forgotten the combination and ordered him to open the safe for her. Believing her story, Horace obeyed. Within an hour, he opened the safe and handed over the jewels. The lady left happily, and later Horace was arrested when the police found his fingerprints on the safe.

Q.10. How was Horace Danby different from other thieves?
Answer: Horace Danby was different from ordinary thieves because he did not steal for luxury or pleasure but to satisfy his love for rare books. He was a respectable man with a successful business and a peaceful life. He robbed only once a year and stole only as much money as he needed for twelve months. He carefully planned his crimes and avoided unnecessary risk.

Unlike other criminals, Horace believed in discipline and order. He thought of himself as a gentleman thief who maintained certain principles. However, despite these differences, he was still breaking the law. His belief that he was better than other thieves proved to be false when he was easily tricked by the charming lady, showing that crime, in any form, is wrong.

Q.11. Why did Horace think that the safe would not be hard to open?
Answer: Horace Danby was confident that the safe would not be difficult to open because he had spent his entire life making locks. His profession had given him deep knowledge about different types of locks and safes. He had successfully broken into safes before and trusted his skill completely.

Moreover, he had studied the house and the safe carefully before attempting the robbery. He believed that his experience and preparation made him almost unbeatable. This confidence gave him the courage to proceed without fear. However, his focus on technical skill made him careless about human deception, which ultimately caused his arrest.

Q.12. What mistake did Horace make that led to his arrest?
Answer: Horace’s biggest mistake was trusting the charming lady without verifying her identity. When she claimed to be the owner of the house, he accepted her words without suspicion. Instead of following his usual careful methods, he became careless under her influence.

In his haste to please her and avoid trouble, he opened the safe without wearing gloves. This left his fingerprints all over the safe. When the robbery was reported, the police easily identified him through these fingerprints. His small but serious mistake proved that even a careful planner can fail due to one careless action.

Q.13. How does the story create irony in Horace Danby’s situation?
Answer: The story is full of irony, especially in Horace Danby’s situation. Horace was a professional thief who believed he was clever and experienced. He thought he could outsmart everyone and carry out his robbery successfully. However, he himself was deceived by another thief.

The greatest irony lies in his belief in “honour among thieves.” He expected fairness and honesty from someone who was also dishonest. Instead, the charming lady betrayed him and escaped with the jewels. Thus, the thief became a victim of another thief, highlighting the ironic twist in the story.

Q.14. Discuss the theme of appearance versus reality in the story.
Answer: The story clearly presents the contrast between appearance and reality. Horace Danby appeared to be a good and respectable citizen. He ran a business, lived quietly, and seemed trustworthy. However, in reality, he was a thief who robbed a safe every year. His respectable appearance hid his secret criminal life.

Similarly, the charming lady appeared to be the elegant and rightful owner of the house. She looked graceful and confident, which made her story believable. In truth, she was a clever thief who used her appearance to deceive Horace. The story teaches us that outward appearances can be misleading and that reality may be very different from what we see.

Q.15. What impression do you form of Horace Danby’s personality?
Answer: Horace Danby appears to be intelligent, disciplined, and careful in his actions. He is a skilled lock-maker and plans his robberies with great precision. His love for books shows that he has refined tastes and an appreciation for knowledge. He does not steal unnecessarily and tries to maintain a certain order in his life.

However, he is also overconfident and morally weak. He tries to justify his crime by linking it to his hobby. His trust in the charming lady and his failure to suspect her reveal his lack of practical wisdom. Overall, he is a complex character with both admirable qualities and serious flaws.

Q.16. How does the author build suspense in the story?
Answer: The author builds suspense by describing Horace’s careful planning and the quiet atmosphere of the house before the robbery. The readers are made aware of his preparations and confidence, which creates curiosity about whether he will succeed or fail. The sudden appearance of the charming lady adds an unexpected twist to the story.

The calm but firm manner in which the lady speaks increases the tension. Readers begin to question her identity and wonder about Horace’s fate. The suspense continues until the final revelation that Horace has been arrested. This gradual development of events keeps the readers engaged throughout the story.

Q.17. Why is the title “A Question of Trust” suitable for the story?
Answer: The title “A Question of Trust” is highly suitable because the entire story revolves around trust and betrayal. Horace trusted the charming lady without questioning her identity. His blind trust led him to act carelessly and open the safe for her.

The story also raises the issue of trust among criminals. Horace believed in “honour among thieves,” but his belief proved wrong. The charming lady betrayed him and escaped. Thus, the story highlights how misplaced trust can lead to serious consequences, making the title meaningful and appropriate.

Q.18. What lesson does Horace learn at the end of the story?
Answer: At the end of the story, Horace learns a bitter lesson about trust and dishonesty. He realizes that his belief in “honour among thieves” was foolish. The charming lady, who was also a thief, showed no loyalty or fairness toward him.

He also understands that crime eventually leads to punishment. Despite his careful planning and experience, he could not escape the law. His arrest and imprisonment teach him that dishonesty brings suffering and regret. The story ends with Horace feeling angry and disappointed, having learned the hard truth about trust and crime.

Q.19. How did Horace justify his crime to himself? Was he right?
Answer: Horace justified his crime by convincing himself that he stole only to support his love for books. He believed that his passion for rare and expensive books made his actions somewhat acceptable. Since he robbed only once a year and took only what he needed, he thought he was different from other criminals.

However, his reasoning was wrong. No matter the reason, stealing is a crime and cannot be justified. His arrest proves that wrongdoing always leads to punishment. The story makes it clear that personal interests cannot excuse illegal actions.

Q.20. Comment on the ending of the story.
Answer: The ending of the story is ironic and thought-provoking. Horace, who believed himself to be clever and experienced, is arrested because of his own mistake. The charming lady escapes successfully, leaving him to suffer the consequences.

The conclusion reinforces the moral lesson of the story. It shows that crime never pays and that dishonesty leads to betrayal. The ending leaves readers reflecting on the importance of honesty and the dangers of misplaced trust.