Class 10 English - HARYANA
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor from the Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet textbook, prescribed by the Haryana Board (BSEH), is a gripping detective story written by Robert Arthur. It revolves around Ausable, a secret agent who does not fit the stereotypical image of a spy. The chapter highlights his presence of mind and quick wit when he is confronted in his hotel room by a rival agent, Max, who is holding a pistol and demanding an important report. Through clever storytelling, the chapter teaches students that intelligence, calmness, and resourcefulness are far more powerful than physical strength or weapons.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ausable's Unconventional Appearance
Unlike traditional secret agents in movies, Ausable is extremely fat, sloppy, and speaks with a German-American accent, which initially disappoints Fowler, a young and romantic writer.
The Element of Surprise
Max enters Ausable's room unexpectedly with a pistol, waiting for a crucial report regarding some new missiles, creating sudden tension in the narrative.
The Balcony Illusion
Ausable fabricates a detailed, convincing story about a non-existent balcony outside his window to explain previous break-ins and trick Max.
Presence of Mind
When someone knocks at the door, Ausable calmly claims it is the police he had called for extra protection, inducing panic in Max.
The Climax and Twist
Panicking about the police, Max jumps out of the window onto the supposed balcony to hide, only to plunge to his death since the balcony never actually existed.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Haryana Board (BSEH) Class 10 English examinations, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Common question types include short answer questions testing character traits (such as Ausable's cleverness compared to Max) and long-answer questions based on the central theme of intelligence prevailing over physical might.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Fowler disappointed when he met Ausable?
Fowler was disappointed because Ausable was very fat and sloppy, completely unlike the romanticized, athletic secret agents he had read about in books.
Did the balcony actually exist outside Ausable's room?
No, the balcony did not exist at all. Ausable completely made up the story of the balcony to trap Max and make him jump out of the window.
Who was actually knocking at the door at the end of the story?
The person knocking at the door was Henry, the waiter who had brought the wine and drinks that Ausable had ordered earlier, not the police.
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