CBSE Class 10 English – Footprints Without Feet
Chapter 3: The Midnight Visitor
20 Important Questions and Answers
As per CBSE 2026–27 Syllabus
Note: These answers are written in an exam-oriented format suitable questions.
1. Why was Fowler disappointed when he met Ausable?
Answer:
Fowler was disappointed because Ausable did not look like the secret agents he had read about in books or seen in movies. Instead of being smart, athletic, and mysterious, Ausable was fat, spoke with an American accent, and seemed ordinary. Fowler had expected an adventurous and exciting personality but found Ausable dull and uninteresting. He felt that meeting Ausable would not provide the thrilling experience he had imagined. However, as the story progressed, Fowler realized that appearances can be misleading. Ausable’s intelligence, confidence, and presence of mind proved that a successful secret agent does not need to fit the usual stereotype.
2. How did Max enter Ausable’s room?
Answer:
Max entered Ausable’s room by using a passkey. He was a rival secret agent who wanted to obtain an important report concerning new missiles. Knowing that Ausable was expecting the report, Max secretly entered the room before Ausable and Fowler arrived. When they entered, they were surprised to find Max waiting with a revolver in his hand. His unexpected presence created tension and suspense in the story. Max believed that he could easily threaten Ausable and take the report. However, despite having a weapon, he underestimated Ausable’s intelligence and eventually became a victim of Ausable’s clever planning.
3. Why was the report important for Max?
Answer:
The report was important for Max because it contained valuable information about new missiles. Such information was highly confidential and could provide a great advantage to whichever side possessed it. As a rival spy, Max wanted to steal the report before it reached Ausable. He believed that obtaining the document would help him complete his mission successfully. This is why he entered Ausable’s room and threatened him with a revolver. Max was focused entirely on getting the report and failed to recognize Ausable’s clever strategy. His greed and overconfidence ultimately led to his downfall.
4. How did Ausable react when he saw Max in his room?
Answer:
Ausable reacted calmly when he saw Max in his room. Instead of showing fear or panic, he behaved as if Max’s presence was only a minor inconvenience. His calmness surprised both Fowler and Max. Ausable immediately began thinking of a plan to deal with the dangerous situation. He cleverly invented a story about a balcony outside the window and later created the impression that police officers were about to arrive. His ability to remain composed under pressure helped him control the situation. Ausable’s reaction shows that intelligence and presence of mind are often more powerful than physical strength.
5. What story did Ausable tell Max about the balcony?
Answer:
Ausable told Max that there was a balcony outside his room window. He explained that it belonged to the next room and that someone had used it earlier to enter his room. He even pretended to be annoyed about it, making the story sound believable. In reality, there was no balcony outside the window. Ausable invented the story to prepare a trap for Max. Since Max had no reason to doubt him, he accepted the explanation. Later, when Ausable mentioned the arrival of the police, Max believed that he could escape through the balcony, which eventually led to his downfall.
6. How did Ausable create fear in Max’s mind?
Answer:
Ausable created fear in Max’s mind by pretending that police officers were coming to his room. He confidently told Max that the knocking on the door must be the police, who had been arranged for extra protection. Since Max was already involved in illegal spying activities, the thought of being caught frightened him. Ausable’s calm and convincing manner made the story seem true. As a result, Max became nervous and looked for a quick way to escape. Fear clouded his judgment, and he decided to jump through the window, believing in the imaginary balcony described by Ausable.
7. Describe Fowler’s feelings during the incident.
Answer:
Fowler experienced a range of emotions during the incident. At first, he was disappointed because Ausable did not appear to be a typical secret agent. However, when he saw Max standing in the room with a revolver, he became shocked and frightened. The situation seemed dangerous and beyond control. As events unfolded, Fowler watched Ausable remain calm and clever. He was confused by the story of the balcony but trusted Ausable’s confidence. In the end, when Max was trapped and the danger disappeared, Fowler realized how intelligent Ausable truly was. His opinion of Ausable changed completely.
8. Why did Max believe Ausable’s story about the balcony?
Answer:
Max believed Ausable’s story about the balcony because Ausable spoke confidently and naturally. He acted annoyed about the balcony as if it had caused trouble before. Since Max was unfamiliar with the room, he had no reason to question the explanation. Ausable’s calm behavior made the story seem realistic and convincing. Moreover, Max was focused on obtaining the secret report and did not carefully verify the facts. His overconfidence prevented him from suspecting a trick. As a result, he accepted the existence of the balcony without checking it and later tried to escape through it.
9. What role did Henry play in the story?
Answer:
Henry played a small but important role in the story. He was the waiter who arrived at Ausable’s room with drinks. Although he was not a police officer, his arrival helped Ausable’s plan succeed. When there was a knock on the door, Ausable told Max that it must be the police who had come for extra security. Max believed this explanation and became frightened. Thinking that the police were outside, he rushed toward the window to escape. Thus, Henry’s arrival unintentionally helped create the illusion that frightened Max and led to the success of Ausable’s clever plan.
10. How did Ausable outsmart Max?
Answer:
Ausable outsmarted Max through his intelligence and quick thinking. Although Max had a revolver and appeared to be in control, Ausable remained calm and invented a clever plan. First, he created a false story about a balcony outside the window. Then he claimed that police officers were arriving at the door. Fearful of being caught, Max decided to escape through the window using the supposed balcony. However, no balcony actually existed. Believing Ausable’s story, Max jumped out and fell. In this way, Ausable defeated a dangerous enemy without using force, proving that intelligence can be stronger than weapons.
11. What lesson does the story teach about appearance and reality?
Answer:
The story teaches that appearances can be deceptive. Ausable looked nothing like the secret agents usually shown in films or novels. He was overweight, ordinary-looking, and seemed unexciting. Because of this, Fowler underestimated him. However, when faced with a dangerous situation, Ausable displayed remarkable intelligence and courage. On the other hand, Max looked like a typical secret agent—young, smart, and confident—but he was easily tricked. The story shows that a person’s true abilities cannot be judged by appearance alone. Real intelligence, confidence, and presence of mind are much more important than outward looks.
12. Why is Ausable called an unconventional secret agent?
Answer:
Ausable is called an unconventional secret agent because he does not fit the common image of a spy. He is fat, speaks casually, and appears ordinary rather than glamorous or athletic. Unlike typical secret agents, he does not depend on physical strength, weapons, or dramatic action. Instead, he relies on his intelligence and quick thinking. During the confrontation with Max, Ausable remains calm and uses clever tricks to solve the problem. His success proves that real espionage often requires mental sharpness rather than physical power. Therefore, he is considered an unusual yet highly effective secret agent.
13. What qualities of Ausable helped him save himself?
Answer:
Several qualities helped Ausable save himself from danger. The most important was his presence of mind. Even when confronted by an armed intruder, he remained calm and did not panic. He was also intelligent and creative, quickly inventing believable stories about the balcony and the police. His confidence made these lies seem true. Additionally, he understood human psychology and knew that fear could influence Max’s actions. By using these qualities together, Ausable controlled the situation without using violence. His cleverness enabled him to protect himself and secure the important report successfully.
14. Why did Fowler’s opinion about Ausable change?
Answer:
Fowler’s opinion about Ausable changed because he witnessed Ausable’s extraordinary intelligence in a dangerous situation. At first, Fowler felt disappointed because Ausable looked nothing like the adventurous spies he had imagined. He seemed dull and ordinary. However, when Max threatened them with a revolver, Fowler saw Ausable remain calm and confident. Ausable cleverly invented stories and manipulated the situation to his advantage. His quick thinking eventually led to Max’s defeat. Fowler realized that a successful secret agent does not need a glamorous appearance. What truly matters is intelligence, courage, and the ability to think under pressure.
15. Why was Max confident in the beginning?
Answer:
Max was confident in the beginning because he believed he had complete control of the situation. He had entered Ausable’s room secretly and was armed with a revolver. He expected that Ausable would be frightened and forced to hand over the important report. Max also considered himself smart and experienced. Since Fowler appeared helpless and Ausable looked ordinary, Max felt there was no real threat to him. However, his confidence gradually turned into fear when Ausable spoke about the police. His inability to detect Ausable’s trick eventually caused his downfall and proved that overconfidence can be dangerous.
16. How does the story create suspense?
Answer:
The story creates suspense through unexpected events and tense situations. First, Fowler’s disappointment creates curiosity about Ausable’s real abilities. Then the sudden appearance of Max with a revolver introduces danger and excitement. Readers wonder how Ausable will escape from such a threatening situation. The mystery surrounding the balcony and the knocking at the door further increases tension. As Max becomes more nervous, readers eagerly wait to see what will happen next. Finally, the surprising revelation that there is no balcony provides a dramatic twist. These elements keep readers engaged and make the story highly suspenseful.
17. Why did Max jump out of the window?
Answer:
Max jumped out of the window because he believed there was a balcony outside. Ausable had earlier convinced him that such a balcony existed and could be used as an escape route. When someone knocked on the door, Ausable claimed that it was the police. Afraid of being arrested, Max quickly decided to escape through the window. He trusted Ausable’s description of the balcony without checking it properly. In reality, no balcony existed. Max’s fear and haste prevented him from thinking clearly. As a result, he jumped out and met his unfortunate end.
18. What is the significance of the title “The Midnight Visitor”?
Answer:
The title “The Midnight Visitor” refers to Max, who arrives unexpectedly in Ausable’s room late at night. His visit is not friendly but dangerous because he intends to steal an important report. The title immediately creates curiosity and suspense, making readers wonder about the identity and purpose of the visitor. Max’s arrival triggers the main conflict of the story and leads to the dramatic events that follow. At a deeper level, the title highlights how a single unexpected visitor can completely change a situation and reveal the true character and abilities of others.
19. What message does the story convey?
Answer:
The story conveys the message that intelligence and presence of mind are more powerful than physical strength. Ausable wins not because he is stronger than Max but because he can think quickly and act wisely under pressure. The story also teaches that appearances can be deceptive. Although Ausable looks ordinary, he proves to be highly capable and resourceful. Another lesson is that overconfidence can lead to failure, as seen in Max’s case. By combining suspense, humor, and clever plotting, the story encourages readers to value wisdom, confidence, and calm thinking in difficult situations.
20. Do you think Ausable was a successful secret agent? Give reasons.
Answer:
Yes, Ausable was a successful secret agent. Although he did not look like the typical spies shown in movies, he possessed the qualities needed for his profession. He remained calm in a dangerous situation and used his intelligence effectively. When confronted by Max, he did not panic or resort to violence. Instead, he created a clever plan involving the imaginary balcony and the supposed arrival of the police. His confidence made his lies believable and helped him defeat his rival. Ausable’s success proves that true espionage depends more on intelligence, observation, and presence of mind than on physical appearance or strength.