Question

Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?

Answer 1

Yes, one does begin to suspect before the end of the story that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be. She was unusually calm on seeing Horace. This seemed strange enough. When she did not call the police, and instead asked Horace to break open the safe and take out all the jewels from it. It seemed suspicious. Moreover, it also seemed unlikely that she would forget the code to open the safe. Therefore, it was evident, before the story ended, that the lady was not the person Horace had taken her to be.

Answer 2

In the story "A Question of Trust" by Victor Canning, readers might begin to suspect that the lady Horace Danby encounters is not who she claims to be before the end of the story. This suspicion could arise at various points, but a critical moment that often triggers doubt is when the lady asks Horace to break open the safe for her.

Key Points Leading to Suspicion:

1. The Lady's Calm Demeanor:
  - When Horace Danby is caught red-handed by the lady, she remains surprisingly calm and composed. Typically, one would expect panic or alarm from a homeowner discovering a burglar, but her calmness hints that she might not be the real owner.

2. Unusual Request:
  - The most significant clue is when the lady asks Horace to break open the safe. It is unusual for a homeowner to ask a burglar to open their safe, even under duress. This request is particularly suspicious because a real owner would likely have access to the safe's combination.

3. Lack of Identification:
  - The lady does not provide any concrete evidence to prove her identity. She relies solely on her presence and demeanor to convince Horace, which should raise doubts about her authenticity.

4. Manipulative Behavior:
  - The lady's manipulative skills are evident as she cleverly convinces Horace to comply with her demands. Her ability to control the situation and make Horace believe her story suggests she is more than just an innocent homeowner.

 Realization of Deception:
Many readers might fully realize the lady's deception when she confidently takes the jewels from the safe without any hesitation. Her familiarity with the safe's contents and her lack of concern about Horace's presence solidify the suspicion that she is an imposter. The final confirmation comes at the end of the story when it is revealed that she is, in fact, a clever thief who outsmarted Horace.

In summary, the combination of the lady's calm demeanor, her unusual request, lack of identification, and manipulative behavior serves as a build-up to the realization that she is not who she appears to be. This gradual unveiling of her true identity is what makes the story intriguing and suspenseful.