Class 10 English - CBSE
Supplementary: A Question of Trust
Supplementary: A Question of Trust by Victor Canning tells the story of Horace Danby, a fifty-year-old meticulous lockmaker who commits a robbery once a year to fund his expensive hobby of collecting rare and expensive books. His carefully planned heist at Shotover Grange goes awry when he is outwitted by a clever young woman posing as the homeowner, who tricks him into opening the safe without wearing gloves. This chapter is vital for CBSE Class 10 board exams as it tests students' understanding of irony, character motivation, and narrative twists in supplementary reading.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Irony in Crime
Horace Danby considers himself an honest man because he only steals from wealthy people and hates the thought of prison, creating a sharp and ironic contrast with his actual profession as a thief.
The Clever Deception
A young woman dressed in red convincingly poses as the lady of the house, manipulating Horace by threatening to call the police unless he opens the safe for her.
Trust Among Thieves
The title highlights the false premise of honor and reliability in the criminal underworld, as Horace naively trusts a fellow criminal who ultimately betrays him.
Attention to Detail
Horace's fatal mistake of taking off his gloves to wipe the cigarette lighter leaves his fingerprints all over the room, leading to his eventual arrest.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the CBSE Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet supplementary reader, this chapter frequently features in 4-mark and 6-mark long-answer questions focusing on character sketches of Horace Danby or the clever lady in red, as well as short-answer questions testing plot comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Horace Danby a typical thief?
No, Horace was respected in society, suffered from hay fever in summer, and only stole once a year specifically to buy rare and expensive books.
How did the young lady trick Horace?
She acted completely at ease, pretended to be the wife of the owner, and threatened to call the police, forcing Horace to open the safe for her without wearing his gloves.
Why was Horace arrested in the end?
Horace had taken off his gloves to handle the jewels and cigarette case, leaving his fingerprints all over the room, which the police easily matched during their investigation.
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