Footprints Without Feet · Chapter 4
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English: A Question of Trust
by Victor Canning
"A Question of Trust" is a story built almost entirely around a single, sharp irony: a professional thief is outwitted not by the police, but by another thief pretending to be an honest woman in distress. Victor Canning introduces Horace Danby, a mild-mannered safe-breaker with a strange code of honour, who is manipulated into breaking open a safe he believes belongs to a stranger asking for help. The story plays with the idea of trust from every angle — who deserves it, who exploits it, and how easily appearances can deceive even an experienced criminal. This NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter gives Myclass24 students a complete chapter breakdown, a free downloadable PDF, structured tables for quick revision, and answers to the most frequently searched questions about this story.
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Chapter Focus: The Irony Behind A Question of Trust
What makes this chapter stand out is its layered irony. Horace Danby is a careful, calculating burglar who never wears gloves on a job — not out of carelessness, but because he genuinely believes his fingerprints aren't on file with the police. This single flaw in his logic becomes the reason he is finally caught, even though, ironically, he didn't steal the jewels at all. The woman who locks him in the safe room turns out to be the real thief, using Horace as an unwitting tool to commit her crime and walk away clean. Also read NCERT Solutions for Class 10 and NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English.
The title itself works on two levels: Horace places his trust in his own flawed reasoning about fingerprints, and he is simultaneously betrayed by a stranger he chose to trust during the job. Exam questions on this chapter often focus on identifying these layers of irony, explaining why Horace is caught despite not stealing the jewels, and analysing how the woman's calm manipulation drives the entire plot.
Quick Character Guide
| Character | Role in the Story | Key Trait |
|---|---|---|
| Horace Danby | A safe-breaker and the story's central figure | Methodical, oddly principled, overconfident about fingerprints |
| The Unnamed Woman | Poses as the householder; the real jewel thief | Calm, manipulative, highly intelligent |
Themes and Quick Facts at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime fiction with an ironic twist ending |
| Setting | A wealthy house that Horace plans to burgle |
| Central Theme | The danger of misplaced trust and overconfidence |
| Key Irony | Horace is caught despite not stealing anything; the woman who trapped him is the real thief |
| Narrative Style | Builds suspense through Horace's perspective before revealing the twist |
| Common Exam Tags | ironytwist endingcharacter analysisextract-based Q&A |
Questions
Who is the author of A Question of Trust?
The chapter is written by Victor Canning, a British novelist recognised for his contributions to thriller and adventure fiction.
What is the twist at the end of A Question of Trust?
The woman who asks Horace to open the safe turns out to be a thief herself; she traps him in the room and escapes with the jewels he opened the safe for.
Why does Horace Danby go to prison at the end of the story?
His fingerprints are found at the scene because he believed, incorrectly, that they were not on police record, leading to his arrest even though he did not take the jewels.
Is A Question of Trust important for the Class 10 CBSE exam?
Yes. It is commonly tested through questions on irony, the surprise ending, and the contrast between appearance and reality in the characters.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 4: A Question of Trust – FAQs
Horace Danby is described as an unusual thief because he does not fit the common image of a criminal. He is a respectable-looking man who makes locks and lives a seemingly ordinary life. Unlike professional criminals who steal regularly, Horace commits only one robbery each year to finance his passion for rare books. He carefully plans his crimes and avoids unnecessary risks. However, his confidence leads to a major mistake when he trusts a stranger posing as the owner of the house. The chapter explores how intelligence without caution can still result in failure.
The lady in red successfully deceives Horace by pretending to be the owner of Shotover Grange. She speaks confidently and behaves naturally, making Horace believe her story. Knowing that he wants to avoid trouble, she cleverly persuades him to open the safe for her. Horace never questions her identity because her appearance and manner seem convincing. After obtaining the jewels, she disappears, leaving Horace to face the consequences. The incident highlights the importance of verification and demonstrates how criminals can manipulate others through confidence and clever acting.
The chapter teaches that appearances can be misleading and that people should think carefully before trusting strangers. Horace Danby believes he is smarter than others because of his detailed planning, yet he becomes the victim of a simple deception. The story shows that overconfidence can lead to mistakes and that even experienced individuals can be fooled. Readers learn the importance of verifying facts, making informed decisions, and remaining cautious in unfamiliar situations. The narrative also highlights that dishonest actions often create opportunities for further problems and unexpected consequences
The title reflects the central issue of misplaced trust throughout the chapter. Horace Danby trusts a woman he has never met simply because she appears respectable and speaks confidently. This decision ultimately leads to his downfall. The story suggests that trust should be based on evidence rather than appearances. At the same time, the chapter raises questions about honesty, deception, and personal judgment. By showing how easily Horace is fooled, the author emphasizes that trust can become a weakness when it is given without careful consideration and critical thinking.