Detailed Summary of The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur

 

Detailed Summary of The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur

                                Introduction

A Midnight Visitor is an interesting and suspenseful short story written by Robert Arthur. The story revolves around a secret agent named Ausable, who appears very different from the typical spies found in novels and films. Through intelligence, quick thinking, and presence of mind, Ausable successfully outwits another spy named Max. The story teaches us that intelligence and courage are often more powerful than physical strength and weapons.

Ausable – An Unusual Secret Agent

The story begins with a young writer named Fowler, who is eager to meet a real secret agent. He has read many exciting stories about spies and imagines them as handsome, athletic, mysterious men involved in thrilling adventures. Therefore, he expects Ausable to be similar.

However, when Fowler finally meets Ausable, he feels greatly disappointed. Ausable does not resemble the image of a secret agent at all. He is fat, speaks with an American accent, and looks ordinary rather than heroic. He is staying in a small room on the top floor of a gloomy French hotel, which is far from the glamorous settings that Fowler had imagined.

 

Ausable quickly notices Fowler's disappointment. With a sense of humour, he points out that Fowler had probably expected mysterious meetings, beautiful women passing secret messages, gunfire, and danger. Instead, Fowler has spent a dull evening with a fat man who received only an ordinary telephone call fixing an appointment. Ausable laughs at Fowler's romantic ideas about espionage.

Yet Ausable assures him that he will soon witness something important. A highly confidential report concerning new missiles is expected to arrive in his room. Several people have risked their lives to obtain this report, and it may even influence the course of history. Ausable suggests that real espionage (intelligence/spying) lies not in dramatic actions but in the importance of information.

Fowler's First Authentic Thrill

As Ausable and Fowler enter the room, Ausable switches on the light. At that moment, Fowler experiences his first authentic thrill of the day.

Standing halfway across the room is a man holding a small automatic pistol. The man is Max, another secret agent or spy. His sudden appearance immediately creates tension and suspense.

Unlike Fowler, Ausable does not panic. Although surprised, he remains calm and asks Max what he is doing in the room. Max explains that he has come to obtain the secret report that is supposed to be delivered to Ausable later that night. He believes the report will be safer in his hands.

Max is described as slender and fox-like, suggesting cleverness and cunning. Armed with a pistol, he appears dangerous and confident. Fowler is naturally frightened, but Ausable behaves as though the situation is merely an inconvenience.

Ausable's Clever Invention of the Balcony

Instead of showing fear, Ausable sits comfortably in an armchair and begins complaining about the hotel management. He says that this is the second time in a month that someone has entered his room through the balcony.

This statement surprises both Fowler and Max.

Fowler immediately looks toward the window but cannot see any balcony. Max also seems confused and admits that he entered the room with a passkey and knew nothing about any balcony.

Without hesitation, Ausable continues his story. He explains that the room was once part of a larger apartment. The adjacent room used to have a balcony, which now extends beneath his window. According to him, one can reach it through an empty room down the corridor.

The explanation sounds completely reasonable. Because Ausable speaks confidently and naturally, Max accepts the story without questioning it. This is the first example of Ausable's extraordinary intelligence. He invents an entire balcony on the spot and makes it believable.

Meanwhile, Fowler remains nervous. Max orders him to sit down, and everyone waits for the arrival of the secret report.

The Importance of the Secret Report

The report they are waiting for contains information about new missiles, making it extremely valuable. Intelligence agencies and governments are eager to obtain such information because it can influence military and political decisions.

Max reveals that his organization wants the report back. He hints that his side has lost possession of the document and now hopes to recover it before it reaches Ausable.

This part of the story highlights the dangerous world of espionage, where secret information can determine the balance of power among nations.

Ausable's Second Brilliant Lie – The Police

As they wait, there is a sudden knock on the door.

The sound startles Fowler. However, Ausable remains calm and smiles. He announces that the visitors must be the police.

Ausable claims that because the expected report is so important, he had requested police protection. He says he arranged for officers to check on him at regular intervals to ensure that everything was safe.

This statement immediately affects Max. He becomes nervous and worried. Although he has a gun, he knows that being caught by the police would be disastrous.

The knocking continues. Ausable cleverly increases the pressure by saying that if he fails to open the door, the police will enter anyway because the door is unlocked. Furthermore, they will not hesitate to shoot.

The situation suddenly turns against Max. He begins to panic and must make a quick decision.

Max's Fatal Mistake

Believing Ausable's story about the police, Max decides to hide temporarily on the balcony until the officers leave.

He backs toward the window while keeping his pistol aimed at Ausable and Fowler. Then he climbs onto the window sill. At the same time, the knocking grows louder, and a voice outside calls, "Mr. Ausable! Mr. Ausable!"

To Max, this confirms that the police have arrived.

Desperate to avoid capture, he pushes himself out of the window, intending to land on the balcony below.

But there is one crucial fact that Max does not know.

There is no balcony.

The balcony exists only in Ausable's imagination and in the story he invented a few minutes earlier.

As Max jumps, he lets out a terrified scream. Realizing too late that there is no balcony beneath him, he falls to his death.

The Truth Revealed

Immediately after Max disappears, the door opens.

Fowler expects to see armed police officers. Instead, a waiter enters carrying a tray with drinks. The waiter is Henry, whom Ausable had previously ordered to bring refreshments.

The waiter places the tray on the table, opens the bottle, and leaves quietly.

Fowler is shocked and confused. He asks about the police.

Ausable calmly explains that there were no police at all. The person knocking at the door was merely Henry, the waiter.

Still stunned, Fowler asks whether Max might return from the balcony.

Ausable smiles and reveals the final truth:

There is no balcony.

Max believed both of Ausable's inventions—the balcony and the police—and these false stories led him to his downfall.

Character Sketch of Ausable

1.   Ausable is the most remarkable character in the story.

2.   He is intelligent and quick-witted.

3.   He remains calm even in dangerous situations.

4.   He possesses a strong presence of mind.

5.   He can think rapidly under pressure.

6.   He uses words and psychology instead of violence.

7.   Unlike typical fictional spies who depend on guns, fights, and physical strength, Ausable depends on his brain. His appearance may seem ordinary, but his intelligence makes him highly effective.

 

Who is Fowler?

Fowler is a young writer interested in secret agents and espionage. He initially judges Ausable by his appearance and feels disappointed because Ausable does not fit the traditional image of a spy.

His first authentic thrill of the day occurs when he sees Max standing in the room with a pistol.

By the end of the story, Fowler learns that real espionage is not about glamour or physical bravery but about intelligence, strategy, and quick thinking. His opinion of Ausable changes completely.

Themes of the Story

Intelligence Over Strength

Ausable defeats an armed spy without using any weapon. His intelligence proves more powerful than Max's pistol.

Appearance Can Be Deceptive

Ausable looks nothing like a secret agent, yet he is highly capable and successful.

Presence of Mind

The story demonstrates how quick thinking can solve even the most dangerous problems.

Reality vs. Imagination

Fowler's romantic ideas about spies differ greatly from reality. Real espionage often depends on mental skill rather than dramatic action.

Conclusion

A Midnight Visitor is a fascinating tale of suspense, wit, and intelligence. Through the character of Ausable, Robert Arthur shows that true courage lies in keeping a cool head during danger. Although Ausable appears ordinary and unimpressive, he proves to be a master spy by inventing two convincing lies—the imaginary balcony and the imaginary police. These clever tricks confuse Max and ultimately save the situation. The story leaves readers with an important lesson: brains are often more powerful than weapons, and appearances can be deceiving.

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