A Question of Trust

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The main character is Horace Danby, a 50-year-old unmarried man who makes locks for a living. He has two helpers and is considered a successful businessman in his community.

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Although Horace appears to be a good, honest citizen, he is actually a thief who robs a safe every year to buy rare, expensive books. He is respectable but not completely honest.

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Horace robs a safe every year to get money to buy rare, expensive books that he loves. He steals enough to last for twelve months and secretly buys books through an agent.

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Horace Danby suffers from hay fever during summer, which causes him to sneeze. This condition becomes important in the story as it affects him during the robbery at Shotover Grange.

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Horace had been studying the house at Shotover Grange for two weeks, carefully observing its rooms, electric wiring, paths, and garden to plan the perfect robbery.

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There were about fifteen thousand pounds worth of jewels in the safe. Horace expected to get at least five thousand pounds by selling them one by one, which would be enough for another year.

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Horace takes the kitchen door key that the housekeeper had hung on a hook outside. He puts on gloves before entering to avoid leaving fingerprints, showing his experience as a careful thief.

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When the small dog named Sherry stirs and makes a noise, Horace calmly says 'All right, Sherry' and shows the dog love. He knows that calling dogs by their right names and showing them affection keeps…