Visual Story: A Question of Trust | English Class 10 PDF Download

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The Respectable Face
Horace Danby, around fifty years old, 
appears to be an honest citizen. He crafts 
locks for a living and employs two 
assistants. His housekeeper worries about 
his hay fever during summer.
The Hidden Truth
Behind this respectable facade lies a 
secret: Horace is a thief. He steals from 
safes once a year to fund his passion for 
rare, expensive books through a secret 
dealer.
The Perfect Plan
This year, Horace targets Shotover Grange, 
where jewels worth fifteen thousand pounds 
are kept in a safe. He plans to sell them and buy 
three special books he desires.
He carefully watches the house, noting every 
detail. When the servants go to the cinema, he 
makes his move using a key from the kitchen 
door.
Inside the House
Horace enters quietly and meets Sherry, the 
friendly dog, calming it by using its name. He 
finds the safe hidden behind a painting in the 
drawing room.
As he works on the safe, flowers nearby trigger 
his hay fever. Then, unexpectedly, a young 
woman appears in the doorway.
The Encounter
The woman claims to be the house owner. She says she's forgotten the safe combination 
and needs to retrieve her jewels urgently.
The Deal
Horace, trapped, agrees to help. She promises to let him go free if he opens the safe for her. 
He opens it and hands over the jewels.
The Trap
Days later, police arrest Horace for the robbery. His fingerprints are everywhere, and the real 
owner's wife denies ever meeting him.
"Honour among thieves" proved to be nothing but a myth. The clever young lady had outsmarted 
Horace completely, leaving him to face the consequences alone.
Key Themes
Deception
Characters deceive each 
other for personal gain. 
Appearances can be 
misleading, and trust can 
be easily broken.
Morality & 
Consequences
The story explores moral 
choices and their 
outcomes. Horace's 
criminal actions ultimately 
lead to his imprisonment.
Redemption
Now working as an 
assistant librarian in 
prison, Horace reflects on 
his mistakes and accepts 
his fate.
Key Messages
Crime Doesn't Pay
Dishonesty and theft lead 
to negative 
consequences, no matter 
how clever the plan 
seems.
Appearance vs Reality
People are not always 
what they seem. The 
"lady" who tricked Horace 
was herself a thief.
Moral Integrity Matters
Upholding honesty and 
moral values helps avoid 
the pitfalls of deceit and 
crime.