Class 10 English - KARNATAKA
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor
Supplementary Chapter 'The Midnight Visitor' by Robert Arthur tells the story of Ausable, a secret agent who defies the stereotypical image of a spy. Unlike James Bond, Ausable is fat, sloppy, and speaks with an American accent. The chapter revolves around his quick thinking when a rival spy named Max confronts him at gunpoint in his hotel room. Ausable masterfully fabricates a story about a non-existent balcony beneath his window, tricking Max into jumping to his death when police knock on the door. For Karnataka (KSEEB) Class 10 students, this chapter is important for understanding how presence of mind triumphs over brute force.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ausable's Unconventional Appearance
Ausable shatters the romanticized stereotype of a secret agent; he is extremely fat, sloppy, and lives in a small, gloomy French hotel room rather than a fancy apartment.
Max, the Intruder
Max is a rival spy who is slender, slightly crafty, and carries a pistol to steal an important confidential report regarding some new missiles.
Fowler's Disillusionment
Fowler, a young and romantic writer, initially feels extremely disappointed meeting Ausable because he expected thrilling, cinematic spy adventures rather than dull conversation.
The Balcony Trick
Ausable invents a brilliant lie about a nonexistent balcony outside his window, convincing Max that people frequently break in that way.
Presence of Mind
The central theme highlights how calmness, quick thinking, and clever deception are far more effective in dangerous situations than physical weapons.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Karnataka (KSEEB) Class 10 English Board Examinations, supplementary reading chapters typically carry around 2 to 4 marks. Questions from 'The Midnight Visitor' are usually framed as 2-mark or 3-mark analytical/descriptive questions focusing on character traits of Ausable, how he outwitted Max, or Fowler's initial reaction to him.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ausable outwit Max?
Ausable cleverly fabricated a convincing story about a balcony beneath his window and pretended that the police were knocking at the door, making a panicked Max jump out the window.
Why was Fowler disappointed when he met Ausable?
Fowler was disappointed because Ausable looked nothing like a romantic secret agent; he was very fat, sloppy, and spoke with an American accent instead of encountering mysterious dark-eyed beauties and ticking bombs.
Was there really a balcony outside Ausable's room?
No, there was no balcony at all. It was entirely a clever lie invented on the spot by Ausable to trick Max.
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