Class 10 English - ODISHA
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur is an engaging detective story featured in the Class 10 English curriculum for BSE Odisha students. The chapter revolves around Ausable, a secret agent who shatters the traditional stereotype of a spy by being fat and sloppy. Unlike Max, another rival secret agent who relies on a gun, Ausable uses his extraordinary presence of mind and quick wit to outsmart Max without any physical combat. This chapter matters for board exams because it teaches students about intelligence over brute force, analytical thinking, and how to frame descriptive answers based on the plot twists.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ausable's Appearance vs. Profession
Ausable defies the classic image of a secret agent; he is extremely fat, speaks with an American accent, and lives in a small, French hotel room, yet he possesses the sharp mind of a true spy.
Fowler's Disappointment
Fowler, a young and romantic writer who expected secret agents to be surrounded by dark mysteries and romantic thrills, is initially disappointed by the dull and ordinary appearance of Ausable.
Max's Threat
Max, a slender and cunning rival secret agent, sneaks into Ausable's room with a pistol to steal an important and sensitive report concerning new missiles.
The Balcony Lie
Using quick thinking, Ausable fabricates an elaborate story about a non-existent balcony right outside his window, blaming the management for failing to seal it properly.
The Climax and Twist
When someone knocks loudly on the door, Ausable claims it is the police he had called for extra protection. Panicked, Max jumps out of the window onto the supposed balcony and falls to his death, revealing there was never any balcony.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the BSE Odisha Class 10 English board examination, supplementary reader chapters usually carry around 3 to 5 marks. Questions commonly include short-answer questions testing character traits (like Ausable's cleverness), multiple-choice questions about plot details, and long-answer questions focusing on the central theme of intelligence triumphing over physical threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there really a balcony outside Ausable's room?
No, there was no balcony at all. Ausable completely made up the story of the balcony on the spot to trick Max.
Why did Max jump out of the window?
Max jumped out of the window to hide from the police (whom Ausable pretended to expect) and to escape safely, believing the balcony actually existed.
How was Ausable different from other secret agents?
Unlike typical secret agents in movies and books who are athletic and mysterious, Ausable was very fat, sloppy, lived in a cheap room, and spoke with an American accent.
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