๐Ÿ•ต️‍♂️ Class 10 English Chapter 3 – The Midnight Visitor (Summary, Q&A, PDF)

Book: Footprints Without Feet
Chapter: 3 – The Midnight Visitor
Author: Robert Arthur
Board: CBSE Class 10 (2025)

✍️ Introduction

“The Midnight Visitor” is a thrilling and clever story written by Robert Arthur. It is about a secret agent named Ausable who surprises the reader by using his intelligence and calm nature to outsmart a dangerous enemy. The story is a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and wit, teaching that presence of mind is more powerful than physical strength.

๐Ÿ“– Summary of the Chapter

The story takes place in a hotel room where Ausable, a secret agent, returns with a writer named Fowler. Fowler is disappointed to meet Ausable, as he expects a spy to be smart, active, and stylish—but Ausable is fat, slow, and speaks calmly. Suddenly, they are both shocked to find another secret agent, Max, with a gun in the room. Max wants to steal some important documents that Ausable is supposed to receive.

Ausable, instead of panicking, stays calm. He cleverly invents a story about a balcony under the window where police guards are waiting. Max, afraid of being caught, jumps out of the window to escape—without realizing there is no balcony at all. Thus, Ausable saves himself and Fowler without even lifting a finger or using a weapon.

๐ŸŒŸ Central Theme

The story highlights the importance of intelligence, calmness, and presence of mind during dangerous situations. It shows how clever thinking can defeat even an armed opponent.

๐Ÿ‘ค Character Sketches

  • Ausable: A secret agent who is not physically fit but extremely intelligent, calm, and quick-witted. He uses brain over brawn.
  • Fowler: A young writer who expects thrill and action from a spy’s life, but ends up learning the true strength of cleverness.
  • Max: An enemy spy who is armed but nervous and easily fooled by Ausable’s smart tactics.

๐Ÿ“š Word Meanings

Word Meaning
WheezilyWith difficulty in breathing
DisappointedFeeling let down
Presence of mindAbility to stay calm and act smartly under pressure
CraftyClever in a dishonest way
BalconyA platform extending from a wall of a building

❓ Important Questions and Answers

  1. Q1. Why was Fowler disappointed after meeting Ausable?
    Ans: Fowler expected a smart, exciting secret agent, but Ausable looked dull and ordinary. This disappointed him at first.
  2. Q2. How did Ausable outsmart Max?
    Ans: Ausable invented a story about a balcony and police guards outside the window. Max got scared and jumped, not knowing there was no balcony at all.
  3. Q3. What qualities of Ausable helped him handle the situation?
    Ans: His calm attitude, quick thinking, intelligence, and presence of mind helped him manage the situation smartly.
  4. Q4. What is the moral of the story?
    Ans: The story teaches that smartness and calmness are more effective than panic and violence. Mind is mightier than muscle.

๐Ÿ“ฅ Download PDF Notes

๐Ÿ‘‰ Click here to download PDF of The Midnight Visitor Notes


๐Ÿ“Œ Tags: Class 10 English Chapter 3, The Midnight Visitor Summary, Robert Arthur, Footprints Without Feet Notes, CBSE 2025, ToppersNoteHub

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