A
Question of Trust
By
Victor Canning
Q:
What does Horace Danby like to collect?
Horace
Danby likes to collect rare and expensive books which is surely a costly hobby.
Q:
Why does he steal every year?
Horace
Danby steals every year to fund his passion for collecting rare books. He sells
the stolen jewels to purchase the books he desires.
Q:
Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
A
lady posing as the lady of the house is speaking to Horace Danby.
Q:
Who is the real culprit in the story?
The
real culprit in the story is the lady who deceives Horace Danby. She tricks him
into stealing for her by pretending to be the owner of the house.
Q:
Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the
person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realize this,
and how?
Yes,
the suspicion arises when the lady asks Horae to break open the safe for her
because it is odd for the owner of the house to ask a thief to do such a thing
instead of calling the police. Her unusually calm manner in such a situation
and the way she confidently interacts with him and makes specific demands also
raises doubts.
Q:
What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into
thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that
something is wrong?
The
lady dresses elegantly and speaks with authority, fitting the image of a
wealthy homeowner. She knows specific details about the house, including the
location of the safe and the type of the dog. Moreover, she also remains calm
and composed, which convinces Horace who is not a regular thief that she has
nothing to fear from a burglar in her own home. Therefore, Horace doesn’t
suspect anything because her behaviour and appearance align perfectly with what
he expects from the lady of the house. Additionally, his focus on his task and
his fear of getting caught distracts him from questioning her identity.
Q:
“Horace Danby was good and respectable-but not completely honest.” Why do you
think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorized a typical
thief?
This
description is apt because Horace Danby leads a generally respectable life, running
a legitimate business and being well-liked in his community. However, his
annual thefts reveal a dishonest side. He can’t be categorized as a typical
thief because his motive is not greed but a specific desire to fund his book
collection. His meticulous planning and the fact that he only steals once a
year further differentiate him from common criminals.
Q:
Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go
wrong and why?
Horace
went wrong by trusting the lady without verifying her identity. His careful
planning didn’t account for the possibility of being deceived by someone who
appeared trustworthy. His overconfidence in ability to execute the theft and
his distraction by lady’s presence led to his downfall. The lady also exploited
his vulnerability and fear of getting caught.
Q:
Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he
got?
Horace
Danby deserved what he got because, despite his otherwise respectable life, he
still committed a crime. His intention to fund his book collection does not
justify breaking the law. The punishment serves as a consequence for his
dishonest actions, regardless of his motives.
Q:
Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong
if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think that there are
situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly?
Intentions
do not necessarily justify actions. While good intentions might mitigate the
severity of an act, they do not erase the wrongdoing. Personally, I believe it
important to adhere to ethical and moral standards, even if the desired outcome
seems justify dishonest actions. Situations may arise where acting less than
honestly appears justifiable, but it is crucial to consider the broader
implications and potential harm of such actions.
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