NCERT Class 10 English Foot Prints Without feet Supp. Reader: Chapter 4 — A Question of Trust
NCERT Class 10 English, Foot Prints Without Feet, Chapter 4, 'A Question of Trust' introduces Horace Danby, a seemingly respectable locksmith who secretly robs safes annually to fund his passion for rare books. The chapter details his meticulous planning for a robbery at Shotover Grange, aiming to steal jewels to buy upcoming rare books. Horace, despite his careful methods to avoid detection and his knowledge of locks, encounters an unexpected obstacle: a woman who claims to be the owner of the house. She manipulates him into helping her, leading him to believe she will let him go if he assists her in retrieving the jewels. This encounter highlights the theme of trust and deception, questioning the honor among thieves and the nature of honesty. The chapter explores Horace's downfall due to misplaced trust, offering a lesson on the consequences of dishonesty and the complexities of human nature within the CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Foot Prints Without feet Supp. Reader |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — A Question of Trust |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 315 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the character of Horace Danby and his motivations.
- Analyze the themes of trust, deception, and honesty.
- Evaluate the consequences of criminal activities.
- Develop critical thinking skills by questioning the narrative and character actions.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Locksmith | A person who makes or repairs locks. |
| Respectable | Appearing to be good or proper. |
| Robbed | Took property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat. |
| Agent | A person who acts on behalf of another person or group. |
| Jewels | Precious stones, especially when used in jewelry. |
| Burglar alarm | An electronic device designed to detect intruders and alert authorities. |
| Deception | The act of misleading someone. |
| Manipulation | Control or influence of a person by means of force or threats. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What was Horace Danby's profession and his secret hobby? Answer: Horace Danby was a locksmith by profession, but his secret hobby was collecting rare and expensive books, which he funded by robbing safes.
- Why did Horace Danby steal every year? Answer: He stole every year to obtain enough money to buy the rare books he loved, which were published annually.
- What was Horace's plan for the robbery at Shotover Grange? Answer: Horace planned to steal the jewels from the safe at Shotover Grange, sell them, and use the money to buy three interesting books coming up for sale in the autumn.
- How did Horace try to avoid leaving fingerprints? Answer: Horace always wore gloves when committing a robbery to avoid leaving fingerprints.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Horace Danby?
Horace Danby is the protagonist of 'A Question of Trust'. He is a seemingly respectable locksmith who secretly commits robberies to fund his passion for rare books.
What is Horace Danby's primary motivation for stealing?
His primary motivation is to collect rare and expensive books, which he buys through an agent after stealing enough money each year.
What does the story suggest about honor among thieves?
The story questions the saying 'there is honour among thieves' as Horace is deceived by a woman who claims to be part of the household, leading to his capture.
What is the significance of the title 'A Question of Trust'?
The title refers to the misplaced trust Horace places in the woman he meets during the robbery, which ultimately leads to his downfall and arrest.
What does Horace Danby collect?
Horace Danby collects rare and expensive books.
Why was Horace Danby in prison before?
Horace Danby served his first and only sentence in a prison library fifteen years ago.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 10 English — Foot Prints Without feet Supp. Reader — Chapter 4 — A Question of Trust. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.