A Question of Trust | Class 10 English Notes

A Question of Trust

The chapter 'A Question of Trust' begins with a thought-provoking statement: 'It is said that you must set a thief to catch a thief. But it is also said that there is honour among thieves.' This sets the tone for a story that explores the complex themes of trust, deception, and morality. The narrative introduces Horace Danby, a man who outwardly appears to be a respectable citizen but harbours a secret life as a safecracker. Horace is about fifty years old, unmarried, and lives with a housekeeper who cares for his health. Despite his respectable appearance, he is not completely honest. He has a unique hobby—collecting rare and expensive books—and to fund this passion, he steals from safes once a year. His thefts are meticulously planned, and he steals just enough to support his book collecting for the entire year. The story is set in July, with Horace preparing for his annual robbery at Shotover Grange, a house he has studied carefully for two weeks. The house contains jewels worth about fifteen thousand pounds, which Horace plans to sell gradually to raise at least five thousand pounds. The narrative highlights Horace's careful and methodical approach, including his attention to avoiding leaving fingerprints and his understanding of the house's layout and security system. The chapter opens with a vivid description of Horace's preparations and his interaction with the house's small dog, Sherry, showing his calm and confident demeanor. This section establishes the main character and sets the stage for the unfolding events, emphasizing the duality of Horace's character—respectable yet dishonest—and the theme of trust that will be central to the story.

📊 Diagram: 1060CH04

🧪 Activity: Students are encouraged to think about the sayings 'set a thief to catch a thief' and 'honour among thieves' and how the story illustrates these ideas.

🔗 Connection: Leads into the next section where Horace begins his attempt to open the safe and encounters an unexpected challenge.