The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur is a suspenseful story about Ausable, a secret agent, who encounters a rival agent, Max, in his hotel room at night. Through clever wit and intelligence, Ausable outsmarts Max, showcasing themes of appearance versus reality and the importance of intelligence over brute strength. The story blends humor and irony, illustrating that resourcefulness can turn dangerous situations to one’s advantage.

1. The Midnight Visitor
By Robert Arthur
Class 10 Presentation

2. Introduction
• Overview:
• - A suspenseful story featuring Ausable, a
secret agent, and a surprise midnight
encounter.
• - Explores themes of wit, intelligence, and
resourcefulness.
• Characters:
• - Ausable: A smart and quick-witted secret
agent.

3. Plot Summary
• 1. Setting:
• - Ausable’s hotel room late at night.
• - Fowler visits Ausable to witness the life of a
spy.
• 2. Rising Action:
• - Max, a rival agent, intrudes with a gun,
demanding a secret document.
• - Ausable cleverly concocts a story about a

4. Key Themes
• - Intelligence over Strength: Ausable’s wit
helps him outsmart Max.
• - Appearance vs. Reality: Contrasts the
perception of spies with their actual lives.
• - Humor and Irony: The twist about the
balcony adds a humorous and ironic element.

5. Character Analysis
• Ausable:
• - Not a conventional spy—short, overweight,
clumsy—but extremely intelligent.
• - Uses his sharp mind to handle tricky
situations.
• Fowler:
• - A curious writer, initially disappointed with
Ausable but later impressed.

6. Literary Devices
• - Irony: Max’s gullibility leads to his downfall.
• - Suspense: The tense situation when Max
points a gun at Ausable.
• - Humor: Ausable’s calm demeanor in the face
of danger.
• - Dialogue: Drives the plot and builds the
characters’ personalities.

7. Moral of the Story
• - Use intelligence and presence of mind to
overcome challenges.
• - Appearances can be deceiving—true
strength lies in cleverness.

8. Fun Facts
• - Author Background: Robert Arthur was
known for his mystery and detective stories.
• - Spy Genre: Highlights a unique take on the
life of spies—contrary to the glamorous
portrayal in films.

9. Conclusion
• - Ausable exemplifies how quick thinking can
turn the tables in any situation.
• - The story blends humor, suspense, and
intelligence seamlessly.

10. Q&A
• Feel free to ask any questions about the story
or its themes!