Class 10 : English – Lesson 22. The Midnight Visitor

EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY

“The Midnight Visitor” by Robert Arthur is a short, suspenseful story that blends espionage, irony, and wit to show that intelligence and quick thinking are more powerful than physical strength or appearance. The story revolves around Ausable, a secret agent, and a sudden, tense encounter in his hotel room that ends in an unexpectedly clever resolution.

The story is narrated by Fowler, a young writer who wants to meet a real-life spy for excitement and inspiration. He meets Ausable, an overweight, middle-aged man who seems nothing like the glamorous spies portrayed in fiction. Ausable appears calm and ordinary, and Fowler is disappointed by his dull personality and lack of action. However, this perception quickly changes when an unexpected visitor arrives.

As the two men enter Ausable’s hotel room, they find a man named Max, pointing a gun at them. Max is another spy who has come to steal some confidential papers that Ausable is supposed to receive. The situation becomes tense and dangerous. Fowler is terrified, but Ausable remains calm and composed. Rather than panicking, he uses his presence of mind and clever storytelling to take control of the situation.

Ausable invents a story about a non-existent balcony outside his window, saying it had been used by someone earlier to break into his room. He claims that the police are coming to provide extra security for the secret papers. Max, who is unaware that Ausable is bluffing, gets nervous. When there’s a sudden knock at the door, which Ausable says is the police, Max panics. To escape, he jumps out of the window — to the “balcony” that doesn’t exist.

Fowler is shocked by the way events unfold. Ausable, without using a weapon or violence, has outsmarted Max and neutralized the threat. When Fowler asks about the police and the balcony, Ausable casually reveals that there are no police and no balcony — it was all a fabricated story. The knocking at the door was simply the waiter bringing drinks that Ausable had ordered earlier.

This twist ending leaves Fowler impressed. The story that began with Fowler’s disappointment ends with admiration for Ausable’s quick wit and calm demeanor. Ausable proves that intelligence, composure, and creative thinking are the most powerful tools, especially in dangerous situations.

The story subtly challenges the stereotypical image of a spy as someone who is physically strong, armed, and action-driven. Instead, it presents a new kind of hero — one who uses his brains rather than brawn to solve problems. It also adds humor and irony, especially in the way Ausable manipulates Max using lies that sound completely believable.

In conclusion, “The Midnight Visitor” is a clever and entertaining story that delivers a strong message: a sharp mind can be the best defense in moments of crisis. Through Ausable’s unexpected heroism, the author reminds us not to judge people by appearances and to value intelligence over aggression.
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PASSAGE

📜 Passage from “The Midnight Visitor”
Ausable moved to an armchair and sat down heavily. “I’m going to raise the devil with the management this time,” he said grimly. “You can bet on it. This is the second time in a month somebody has got into my room through that nuisance of a balcony!” Fowler’s eyes widened. He looked quickly at the window. “Balcony?” he whispered.

Questions and Answers

✅ Q1. Fill in the blank (1 mark)
Ausable said he would “raise the __ with the management” about the balcony issue. (idiom)
Answer: devil

✅ Q2. Multiple Choice Question (1 mark)
What is the synonym of the word “grimly” in this context?
A) cheerfully
B) sternly
C) foolishly
D) politely
Answer: sternly

✅ Q3. Answer in 15 words (1 mark)
Why did Ausable mention the balcony to Fowler during the encounter with Max?
Answer:
Ausable invented the balcony story to trick Max and create a false sense of danger.

✅ Q4. Answer in 40 words (2 marks)
How does this passage show Ausable’s ability to think quickly under pressure?
Answer:
This passage reveals Ausable’s cleverness in fabricating the story about the balcony. He creates urgency and danger to mislead Max, using calm speech and natural gestures. His quick thinking completely alters the situation, giving him control without using force.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

OUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
✅ Q1. Why was Fowler initially disappointed after meeting Ausable? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Fowler expected Ausable to be a glamorous, action-filled spy — perhaps slim, agile, and mysterious. Instead, he found a fat, unfit man living in a simple hotel room. Ausable’s calm and unimpressive appearance made Fowler believe he was in for a dull experience, quite unlike the thrilling spy stories he had imagined.

✅ Q2. How did Ausable use the fictional balcony to his advantage? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Ausable cleverly invented the story of a balcony beneath his window to deceive Max. He claimed someone had entered through it earlier and that the management hadn’t fixed the issue. This fabricated detail made Max believe the balcony was real, leading him to jump through the window — right into a trap of his own making.

✅ Q3. How did Max underestimate Ausable and what was the result? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
Max underestimated Ausable due to his bulky, calm appearance and ordinary lifestyle. He didn’t expect intelligence or danger from him. This misjudgment cost Max dearly, as Ausable outwitted him using a fabricated story about the balcony and police, which caused Max to panic and unknowingly leap to his defeat.

✅ Q4. What role does the unexpected knock at the door play in the story? (3 marks – 60 words)
Answer:
The knock creates suspense and adds realism to Ausable’s bluff about the police. It heightens Max’s anxiety and validates Ausable’s fabricated story, making Max desperate to escape. Ironically, the knock was just the waiter, but it perfectly timed with Ausable’s lie, helping turn the situation in Ausable’s favor without physical confrontation.

✅ Q5. What does Ausable’s character teach us about dealing with high-pressure situations? (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
Ausable demonstrates that presence of mind and calm thinking are more effective than brute force. When faced with danger, he doesn’t panic or respond with aggression. Instead, he uses his wit, inventing a believable story about a balcony and police arrival. He manipulates the situation so convincingly that Max, though armed, feels threatened and flees. Ausable teaches that intelligence and emotional control can outmatch physical threats. His confidence, quick thinking, and understanding of human behavior allow him to turn a deadly encounter into a successful escape. In real life too, difficult situations often demand strategy over strength. Ausable becomes an unlikely yet admirable example of how composure and cleverness can turn a crisis into a triumph.

✅ Q6. Imagine you are Fowler. Write a diary entry after witnessing the night’s events. (6 marks – 120 words)
Answer:
Diary Entry –
Tonight was nothing like I expected. I met Ausable thinking I’d see some action, but when I first saw him — large, quiet, and ordinary — I was disappointed. Then Max appeared with a gun, and everything changed. Ausable remained calm while I froze. He spoke of a balcony, mentioned the police, and manipulated Max without lifting a finger. I couldn’t believe it when Max actually jumped out of the window. And the knock? Just a waiter! It was brilliant. I learned something important — spies don’t have to look heroic; their real power lies in how they think. Ausable’s calmness and intellect completely changed my view. Tonight, I saw real intelligence in action.

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