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Is there really 'honor among thieves', and what happens when an aristocratic master burglar who steals only from the super-rich once a year is outconn...
Is there really 'honor among thieves', and what happens when an aristocratic master burglar who steals only from the super-rich once a year is outconned by an even craftier lady thief? Victor Canning explores poetic justice.
Why This Chapter Matters
In Class 10 English, "A Question of Trust" provides an authoritative, curriculum-verified master resource aligned with the 2026–27 NCERT syllabus.
Before You Begin (Prerequisites)
- Heist fiction and mystery.
- Moral codes among criminals.
- Dramatic irony.
What You Will Learn (Core Objectives)
- Analyze Horace Danby's dual life: Respected locksmith vs secret burglar robbing one safe annually to buy rare books.
- Trace the meticulous planning of the heist at Shotover Grange (Sherry the dog, wiring, hay fever).
- Examine the confrontation with the charming young woman in red posing as the mistress of the house.
- Analyze how the lady tricks Horace into opening the safe without gloves in exchange for his freedom.
- Evaluate the climactic arrest, fingerprints on the safe, and the shattering of 'honor among thieves'.
Chapter Roadmap & Progression
1
1. The Gentleman Locksmith & Rare B...
2
2. The Shotover Grange Heist
3
3. Outsmarted by the Lady in Red
Complete Concept Guide (100% Curriculum Coverage)
1. The Gentleman Locksmith & Rare Books
Fifty-year-old bachelor Horace Danby is regarded as a respectable citizen running a successful locksmith business. But Horace has an expensive passion: collecting rare, precious books. To fund his hobby, he plans meticulously and robs one wealthy safe every single year, stealing enough to last twelve months through a secret book dealer.
2. The Shotover Grange Heist
Horace studies the country mansion at Shotover Grange for two weeks while the owners are in London and servants at the cinema. Entering through the kitchen, he pacifies the pet dog Sherry by calling his name. In the drawing room, he suffers an allergic sneezing fit caused by a bowl of flowers as he prepares his specialized tools to crack the safe hidden behind a painting.
3. Outsmarted by the Lady in Red
A charming young voice interrupts him: a beautiful young lady in a red dress carrying the dog enters, pretending to be the mistress of the house. She offers him a deal: she won't call the police if he cracks the safe for her, claiming she forgot the combination and needs her jewels for a party. Horace eagerly agrees, removes his gloves to manipulate the lock, and leaves with thanks. Two days later, police arrest Horace—his bare fingerprints were all over the safe! The lady was herself a brilliant thief who walked away with all the jewels!
Check Your Understanding (Diagnostic Practice Questions)
Diagnostic questions testing core conceptual clarity. Answers are hidden initially — solve each problem first, then click to reveal the step-by-step verified solution.
1
Why did Horace Danby commit a burglary every year?
Reveal Answer & Explanation
Answer: He had a passionate love for rare, expensive collector books; he robbed one wealthy safe every year to acquire enough cash to purchase books through an agent.
To fund his passion for rare and expensive books.
2
How did Horace prepare for the robbery at Shotover Grange?
Reveal Answer & Explanation
Answer: He studied the house for two weeks, mapped the layout of rooms, electric wiring, and paths, observed servant routines, and packed specialized burglary tools.
Studied the house layout, wiring, and servant habits for weeks.
3
How did the young lady in red trick Horace Danby?
Reveal Answer & Explanation
Answer: She spoke with poise and authority, calmed the pet dog, and acted convincingly as the mistress of the house who needed her jewels for a dinner party, promising not to call the police if Horace opened the safe.
Pretended to be the house owner needing her jewelry.
4
Why was Horace arrested two days after the robbery?
Reveal Answer & Explanation
Answer: Because in his eagerness to please the young lady and avoid jail, he took off his gloves to open the safe, leaving his clear fingerprints all over the room and lock.
Left his bare fingerprints all over the safe.
5
Why does Horace Danby get furious whenever anyone speaks of 'honor among thieves'?
Reveal Answer & Explanation
Answer: Because he was utterly betrayed and tricked by a fellow thief (the young lady) who stole the entire jewelry cache while leaving him to take the blame in prison.
Because a fellow thief tricked and framed him.
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