Class 10 English - BIHAR
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur is an engaging detective story featured in the Class 10 Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) English curriculum. The chapter revolves around Ausable, a secret agent who does not fit the stereotypical image of a spy, and his unexpected encounter with a rival agent named Max who threatens him with a pistol at midnight. Through quick thinking, presence of mind, and brilliant resourcefulness, Ausable invents a plausible story about a non-existent balcony to outwit Max. This chapter is important for board exams as it tests reading comprehension, character analysis, and narrative understanding through short and long-answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ausable's Character
Ausable is a secret agent who is fat and sloppy, defying the conventional glamorous image of a spy, yet he possesses exceptional intelligence and presence of mind.
Fowler's Expectations vs Reality
Fowler, a young and romantic writer, expects secret agents to be surrounded by dark mysteries and romantic figures, but is initially disappointed by Ausable's ordinary appearance.
The Threat of Max
Max is another secret agent who sneaks into Ausable's room with a passkey and a pistol to steal an important report concerning new missiles.
The Balcony Trick
Ausable cleverly fabricates a story about a non-existent balcony beneath his window to trick Max into believing the police are outside, causing Max to jump to his doom.
Presence of Mind
The core theme of the chapter highlights how calmness, quick thinking, and intelligence are far more powerful weapons than physical force or weapons.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 10 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Questions commonly appear as short-answer questions testing plot details, character sketches of Ausable or Fowler, and long-answer questions based on the theme of presence of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ausable look different from a conventional secret agent?
Unlike the romanticized spies in books who are tall, dark, and handsome, Ausable was very fat, spoke with an American accent, and lived in a small, French hotel room.
Was there really a balcony outside Ausable's window?
No, there was no balcony. Ausable completely invented the story of the balcony to trap Max and make him believe that the police were knocking at the door.
What message does the story convey to the readers?
The story conveys that one should never judge a book by its cover and that presence of mind and intelligence are crucial to overcoming dangerous situations.
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