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Who was Horace Danby?
A locksmith who secretly stole from safes
What was Horace planning to buy with the money from the robbery?
He wanted to buy rare and expensive books.
Who entered the room and surprised Horace?
A young woman entered the room and surprised Horace.
What did Horace say he would do first if he ran away?
He said he would cut the telephone wires first.
What did Horace do after opening the safe?
He gave the woman the jewels and left happily.
Why did Horace Danby steal every year?
He stole to earn money to buy rare and expensive books.
How did Horace manage to keep the dog quiet?
He called the dog by its name, “Sherry,” and showed it love.
How was the woman dressed?
She was dressed in red.
Why did Horace say he stole from rich people?
He said he stole only from people who had a lot of money and that he did it to buy rare books.
Why was Horace arrested?
He was arrested for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange.
How did Horace prepare for the robbery at Shotover Grange?
He studied the house for two weeks, observing its rooms, wiring, paths, garden, and the servants' routine.
Why did Horace prefer collecting books instead of paintings?
He thought books were better because paintings took up too much space in a small house.
Why did Horace feel hopeful after seeing the woman?
He felt hopeful because she seemed amused rather than angry, so he thought he could handle the situation.
Why did Horace remove his gloves and give the woman his lighter?
He wanted to please her because he hoped she would help him escape.
Why did nobody believe Horace’s explanation?
Nobody believed him because his fingerprints were found everywhere and the owner’s wife denied knowing him.
Why can Horace be called a person with two different personalities?
He appeared to be a good and respectable citizen, but secretly committed theft to satisfy his love for rare books.
How did Horace’s hay fever become a problem during the robbery?
The flowers in the room triggered his hay fever, causing him to sneeze and reveal his presence.
What did the woman threaten to do if Horace ran away?
She threatened to telephone the police and tell them about him.
How did the woman convince Horace to open the safe for her?
She told him she had forgotten the safe combination and needed the jewels for a party, so Horace agreed to help her.
How did Horace get caught?
He removed his gloves while helping the woman open the safe, leaving his fingerprints behind, which led the police to him.
What does Horace’s careful planning of the robbery reveal about his character?
It shows that Horace was intelligent, patient, and organized, but he used these qualities for dishonest purposes rather than doing something moral.
What does the stranger’s conversation with Horace at the end of the passage suggest about her character?
It suggests that she was clever and observant because she noticed Horace, understood his weakness (hay fever), and used the situation to control him.
How does the woman’s calm behaviour affect Horace’s confidence?
Her calm and confident behaviour makes Horace believe he can talk his way out of trouble, but it also shows that she is in control of the situation.
What does this conversation reveal about Horace’s character?
It shows that Horace is clever and careful, but he is also easily influenced and too trusting, which causes him to make mistakes.
Why does Horace get angry when people talk about “honour among thieves”?
He feels betrayed because another thief tricked him. The story shows the irony that a thief who trusted another thief was finally caught because of that trust.