The Midnight Visitor ||Footprints Without Feet|| Class 10 English Chapter 3 Summary
Summary of "The Midnight Visitor":
The story is set around Ausable, a secret agent, and an unexpected midnight visit by Max, a rival spy. Ausable, despite his rather unassuming appearance, cleverly outwits Max without the use of physical force, relying instead on his wit.
Plot Overview:
Ausable and Fowler's Meeting:
The story begins with Fowler, a writer, visiting Ausable in his hotel room. Fowler is initially disappointed by Ausable's appearance and lifestyle, as he expected a secret agent’s life to be filled with excitement, danger, and action. Ausable, however, is a rather fat, slow, and uncharismatic person, living in a dull hotel room.
The Intrusion by Max:
As Ausable and Fowler enter the hotel room, they are met with a startling surprise: Max, a rival spy, is already in the room, waiting for Ausable with a gun. Max demands that Ausable hand over an important report concerning new missiles that is expected to arrive that night.
Ausable’s Clever Tactic:
Though Max holds a gun, Ausable remains remarkably calm and starts weaving a clever story. He tells Max about a non-existent balcony just outside the window, which he claims is used by secret agents and hotel staff to break into rooms. Ausable creates a vivid picture of this "balcony," making Max believe it exists and that someone could arrive through it at any moment.
The Knock at the Door:
As they talk, there’s a sudden knock at the door, making the situation even more tense. Ausable calmly explains that it must be the police, whom he had requested to come for security reasons. Max becomes visibly nervous, as he doesn't want to be caught. Ausable’s calm demeanor further unnerves Max.
Max's Fatal Mistake:
Fearing capture by the police, Max decides to escape through the balcony (which, of course, does not actually exist). He steps towards the window, climbs out, and falls to his death, as there was no balcony outside. When Fowler asks about the knock at the door, it turns out to be just the waiter bringing drinks.
Ausable and Fowler's Meeting:
The story begins with Fowler, a writer, visiting Ausable in his hotel room. Fowler is initially disappointed by Ausable's appearance and lifestyle, as he expected a secret agent’s life to be filled with excitement, danger, and action. Ausable, however, is a rather fat, slow, and uncharismatic person, living in a dull hotel room.
The Intrusion by Max:
As Ausable and Fowler enter the hotel room, they are met with a startling surprise: Max, a rival spy, is already in the room, waiting for Ausable with a gun. Max demands that Ausable hand over an important report concerning new missiles that is expected to arrive that night.
Ausable’s Clever Tactic:
Though Max holds a gun, Ausable remains remarkably calm and starts weaving a clever story. He tells Max about a non-existent balcony just outside the window, which he claims is used by secret agents and hotel staff to break into rooms. Ausable creates a vivid picture of this "balcony," making Max believe it exists and that someone could arrive through it at any moment.
The Knock at the Door:
As they talk, there’s a sudden knock at the door, making the situation even more tense. Ausable calmly explains that it must be the police, whom he had requested to come for security reasons. Max becomes visibly nervous, as he doesn't want to be caught. Ausable’s calm demeanor further unnerves Max.
Max's Fatal Mistake:
Fearing capture by the police, Max decides to escape through the balcony (which, of course, does not actually exist). He steps towards the window, climbs out, and falls to his death, as there was no balcony outside. When Fowler asks about the knock at the door, it turns out to be just the waiter bringing drinks.