The Midnight Visitor
An Unlikely Secret Agent
Fowler, a young and romantic writer, is severely disappointed when he meets Ausable, a secret agent who doesn't fit any fictional descriptions of a spy. Instead of a thrilling environment with mysterious figures and dark-eyed beauties, Ausable is very fat, sloppy, speaks with an American accent, and lives in a small, gloomy French hotel room on the sixth floor. However, Ausable assures Fowler that the evening will soon become dramatic, as they are waiting for an incredibly important report concerning new missiles—a paper for which several people have risked their lives.
The Intruder and The Balcony
The promised thrill arrives unexpectedly as soon as Ausable switches on the light in his room: a slender man named Max is standing halfway across the room with a small automatic pistol, demanding the missile report. Showing immense presence of mind, Ausable remains completely calm. Instead of panicking, he expresses extreme irritation at the hotel management and sits down heavily, inventing a highly detailed story about a "nuisance of a balcony" that supposedly extends under his window from the next apartment. He convincingly complains that this is the second time someone has broken into his room through it, successfully planting the idea of a balcony in the intruder's mind.
A Deadly Bluff
Suddenly, there is a loud knocking at the door. Ausable bluffs again, calmly stating that he had told the police to check on him to provide extra protection for the important documents. Panicking at the thought of the police entering, Max backs towards the window and swings a leg over the sill, warning Ausable to send them away while he waits on the balcony. As the doorknob turns, Max pushes himself off the sill and drops, screaming shrilly. The door opens to reveal not the police, but Henry the waiter bringing drinks. When a shocked Fowler asks about the man on the balcony, Ausable simply replies that he won't return, revealing the fatal truth: "there is no balcony".
Key Figures
Ausable
A secret agent who shatters all romantic stereotypes. Though he is fat, sloppy, and unremarkable in appearance, his sharp intellect and ability to think on his feet make him an incredibly dangerous and effective spy.
Max
A rival secret agent with a crafty, fox-like countenance. Despite having a gun and the element of surprise, he is easily manipulated and outwitted by Ausable's fabricated story.
Fowler
A young, romantic writer looking for espionage and danger. He experiences a rollercoaster of emotions, moving from deep disillusionment to sheer terror, and finally astonishment at Ausable's brilliance.
Themes to Remember
Presence of Mind
Ausable's ability to remain absolutely calm under the threat of a gun and instantly invent a believable lie is what ultimately saves his life and secures the important documents.
Appearances are Deceptive
The story proves that physical appearance—like Ausable's fat, sloppy exterior—does not reflect a person's intelligence, capability, or true danger.
Brains over Brawn
Ausable wins the deadly confrontation not with physical force, violence, or weapons of his own, but entirely through psychological manipulation and quick thinking.
