Class 10 English - TELANGANA
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor
Supplementary: The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur is a thrilling detective story that challenges traditional stereotypes of secret agents. The chapter introduces Ausable, a clever and quick-witted secret agent who does not look or act like the glamorous spies seen in movies. Instead of carrying a pistol or being surrounded by mysterious circumstances, he is fat and speaks with an American accent. When a rival agent, Max, threatens him at gunpoint in his hotel room, Ausable uses his extraordinary presence of mind and quick thinking to invent a fake balcony story, ultimately outwitting Max without a physical fight. This chapter matters greatly for Telangana (TSBSE) board exams as it tests reading comprehension, character analysis, and the ability to write analytical answers about theme and plot development.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ausable's Character
Ausable is a secret agent who breaks the stereotypical image of a spy by being overweight and living in a small, French hotel room.
The Element of Suspense
The author builds tension immediately when Fowler, a young writer, enters Ausable's room and finds another man, Max, holding a pistol.
Presence of Mind
Ausable stays completely calm under pressure and invents a convincing story about a non-existent balcony beneath his window to trick Max.
The Role of Fowler
Fowler represents the reader's perspective, starting with romantic notions of espionage and learning a practical lesson about intelligence over brute force.
The Climax and Twist
The story ends with a dramatic twist when a knock at the door is falsely attributed to the police by Ausable, causing Max to jump out of the window to his doom.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Telangana (TSBSE) Class 10 English board exams, supplementary reader chapters like 'The Midnight Visitor' frequently feature in reading comprehension passages, short answer questions, and paragraph-length questions carrying about 3 to 6 marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ausable look different from a traditional secret agent?
Ausable was very fat, spoke with an American accent, and lived in a gloomy sixth-floor room, unlike the romanticized, athletic spies in fiction.
Was there really a balcony outside Ausable's window?
No, there was no balcony at all. Ausable completely made up the story about the balcony to trick Max into believing an easy escape route existed.
Why did Max jump out of the window?
Max heard a knock at the door, which Ausable claimed was the police. Panicking and wanting to hide, Max jumped onto the non-existent balcony and fell.
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