Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is B. The stolen title object in the 1845 story 'The Purloined Letter' written by Edgar Allan Poe has been hidden in plain sight. The story is centered around the cunning theft and concealment of the letter.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Purloined Letter. This short story, written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1844, revolves around a letter that is stolen and skillfully concealed by the thief, Minister D―, by simply leaving it out in the open where it escapes detection. Poe's tale involves detective C. Auguste Dupin, who is called upon to retrieve the title object, the stolen letter, which has indeed been hidden in plain sight in the Minister's apartment.
In the passage quoted, we get insight into the ingeniously bold method the Minister uses to steal the letter in the presence of its owner. The story showcases Poe's talent for creating suspense and exploring the theme of perception versus reality through clever detective work.