Class 10 English Chapter: A Question of Trust Notes A Question of Trust by Victor Canning is a suspenseful story from the Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet book. It revolves around crime, intelligence, and unexpected twists, making it an important chapter for exams. The story shows how appearances can be deceptive and how overconfidence can lead to failure. About the Author Victor Canning was a British author known for writing mystery and thriller stories. His works often include clever plots and surprising endings. Summary of A Question of Trust The story is about Horace Danby, a fifty-year-old man who appears to be a respectable citizen. He runs a business of making locks and lives a simple life. However, he has a secret habit of stealing once every year to satisfy his love for rare and expensive books. One day, Horace plans to rob a house named Shotover Grange. He carefully studies the house and chooses a time when the owners are away. When he enters the house, he meets a young woman who claims to be the owner’s wife. She tells Horace that she has forgotten the combination of the safe and asks him to open it for her. Trusting her, Horace opens the safe and gives her the jewels. The woman thanks him and leaves. Later, Horace is caught by the police and sent to prison. He realizes that the woman was actually a clever thief who tricked him and escaped with the jewels. Central Idea The main idea of the story is that trust should be placed carefully. It shows that appearances can be misleading and that even a careful person can be deceived. The story also highlights how overconfidence can lead to mistakes. Character Sketch Horace Danby Horace is intelligent, careful, and skilled at his work. However, he has a weakness for stealing, which leads to his downfall. He trusts the woman too easily and becomes a victim of deception. The Young Woman The woman is clever, confident, and manipulative. She successfully tricks Horace and escapes with the jewels, showing her intelligence and planning. Important Themes The chapter focuses on trust and deception. It also highlights the idea that appearances can be misleading. Another theme is crime and its consequences. Important Questions Why did Horace Danby steal? He stole once a year to satisfy his passion for collecting rare books. How was Horace tricked? A woman pretending to be the owner’s wife convinced him to open the safe and took the jewels. What is the message of the story? The story teaches that trust should be given carefully and that appearances can be deceptive. Why this chapter is important This chapter is often asked in CBSE exams. Questions may include summary, character sketch, and themes. Understanding the twist in the story is important for writing accurate answers. Final words A Question of Trust is an interesting story that shows how intelligence can be used for both good and bad purposes. It teaches an important lesson about trust and caution. With proper understanding and revision, this chapter becomes easy to prepare and helps in scoring well in exams.