Q.1. Horace Danby was ____ years old.
(a) 50
(b) 40
(c) 60
(d) 45
Correct Answer is Option (a)
Horace Danby was 50 years old, and unmarried. He lived with a housekeeper who worried over his health.
Q.2. The housekeeper hung the key of which door outside?
(a) Kitchen door
(b) Back door
(c) Front door
(d) Bedroom window
Correct Answer is Option (a)
Horace Danby had seen the housekeeper hang the key to the kitchen door on a hook outside.
Q.3. Whom did Horace Danby see in the kitchen? How did they greet each other? What tact did Horace apply there?
Horace Danby saw the family dog, Sherry, in the kitchen. The dog greeted Horace by stirring, making noise, and wagging its tail in a friendly way. Horace greeted the dog by tactfully calming it down, calling it by its name, and showing love to it.
Q.4. Horace Danby was interested in the books, not in the painting. Why?
Horace Danby had a strong passion for rare books. Although he briefly considered collecting paintings, he ultimately realised that in a small house, books were more practical and valuable to him. This preference for books over paintings guided his decision-making.
Q.5. What was the passion of Horace Danby and how did he satisfy it?
The passion of Horace Danby was collecting rare and expensive books. To fulfil this passion, he needed money, which he obtained by robbing a safe each year. He carefully planned each robbery and then secretly purchased the books he desired through an agent.
Q.6. Give the character sketch of Horace Danby.
Horace Danby was a fifty-year-old bachelor who was perceived as a good and honest citizen. Generally, he was cheerful and healthy, except for occasional bouts of hay fever during summer. He was a successful lock maker, employing two assistants in his business. While he was regarded as respectable, he was not entirely honest. Fifteen years prior, Horace had served a prison sentence, which he spent in the library. His true passion lay in collecting rare and expensive books. To fund his collection, he planned a robbery each year, carefully studying his targets and stealing just enough to last him for twelve months. He would then purchase the books he desired through an agent. On a sunny July day, Horace felt confident about this year's robbery at Shotover Grange. After observing the house for two weeks, he noted the absence of the family and their servants, who had gone to the movies. However, his plan was thwarted when he was arrested for the jewel robbery. His fingerprints were found at the scene, and despite his claims that the owner's wife had asked for his help, no one believed him. Now, Horace serves as an assistant librarian in prison, often reflecting on the clever young woman who deceived him. He feels angered when discussions arise about honour among thieves.
Q.7. Why was Horace Danby arrested although he failed to profit from the robbery at Shotover Grange?
Horace Danby was arrested despite not profiting from the robbery at Shotover Grange because he broke open the safe to give the lady in red the jewels. He mistakenly believed she was the owner’s wife who had forgotten the safe's combination. Although he intended to escape without trouble, he was caught red-handed by the lady and wanted to keep her satisfied. Unfortunately, he had not worn gloves while opening the safe, leaving his fingerprints all over the room. Consequently, he was arrested shortly after the incident.
Q.8. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still, he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?
Horace Danby was a careful planner who gathered extensive information about the house, its owner, and the servants. Despite his meticulous preparations, he made a critical mistake when he was deceived by a young lady in red, who claimed to be the owner. When she asked him to open the safe for her jewels, he was so taken in by her appearance that he forgot to wear his gloves. As he opened the safe, his fingerprints were left all over the scene, leading to his arrest just two days later. The real owner was actually an elderly lady of sixty, while the young woman was a thief who had tricked him and escaped with the jewels. Horace's careful planning ultimately failed due to this moment of distraction and trust in the wrong person.
Q.9. Horace was a successful thief because he carefully planned his robberies. Should we call him a successful thief and still appreciate his work? Why or why not?
Yes, Horace can be considered a successful thief because he meticulously planned his robberies and executed them effectively. While he appeared to lead a life as a good and honest citizen, the wealth he amassed through his crimes did not belong to him. Although he may have been efficient in his criminal activities, he is ultimately a criminal. Therefore, despite his skills, we cannot appreciate his work.
Q.10. Horace was clever but the lady in red was cleverer. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer.
Yes, I agree with this statement. Horace was clever; he planned the robbery meticulously, studied the target, and brought the right tools, including gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. However, the young lady in red was even cleverer. She had all the necessary information and, by posing as the mistress of the house, exploited Horace's fear of being caught. She tricked him into opening the safe and handing over the jewels. Furthermore, she ensured that Horace left his fingerprints behind by distracting him with a cigarette he offered to light after he removed his gloves. Thus, the lady successfully outsmarted him.
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