Written by Robert Arthur, this is a witty spy story about a secret agent named Ausable, who is unlike the romantic image of a spy: he is fat, lives in a small French hotel room, and seems anything but adventurous. A young writer, Fowler, who has come hoping to see exciting spy action, is disappointed by Ausable’s dull manner. The excitement begins when they return to the room to find an enemy agent, Max, waiting with a pistol, intent on stealing an important secret report. Instead of panicking, Ausable cleverly invents a story about a non-existent balcony outside his window, claiming that the police often enter that way and that he has complained about it. When there is a knock at the door — actually the waiter Ausable had ordered drinks from — the frightened Max believes it is the police and climbs out of the window onto the “balcony” to escape, only to fall, since no balcony exists. Through presence of mind and quick thinking, Ausable defeats his enemy without violence.
The story in 6 beats
1Fowler meets Ausable and feels surprised because the secret agent looks dull and very ordinary.
2As they enter Ausable’s room, they find Max inside with a pistol, waiting for a secret report.
3Ausable stays calm and tells Max about a balcony outside the window and police trouble connected with it.
4Someone knocks at the door, and Ausable says it must be the police he had called for protection.
5Max gets scared, jumps out through the window to the supposed balcony, and falls because no balcony exists.
6The knock comes from a waiter with drinks, and Fowler sees how cleverly Ausable defeats Max.
Presence of mindThe unconventional spyTrick and deceptionSuspense and humourDefeating an enemy without violence
Characters & key ideas
AAusableA clever, unglamorous secret agent who outwits his enemy.
FFowlerA young writer hoping to witness exciting spy adventures.
MMaxThe enemy agent who breaks in to steal a secret report.
TThe imaginary balconyAusable’s invented story that traps Max.
PPresence of mindAusable’s quick thinking that defeats his enemy.
SSecret reportThe important document Max wants to steal.
Word meanings · शब्दार्थ
romantic
exciting and adventurous in imagination
sloppy
untidy and careless in appearance
accent
special way of speaking words
melancholy
sad and gloomy
musty
stale and slightly damp-smelling
passkey
master key opening many locks
balcony
platform built out from a wall
grapevine
unofficial way news spreads
wry
showing dry, twisted humour
inflection
change in tone or voice
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How is the secret agent Ausable described?
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