About the Author
Robert Arthur Jr. was an American writer born on 10 November 1909 in the Philippines. His dad was in the army, so he moved a lot as a kid. He loved stories about mysteries and scary things. He wrote many books for young people, like the "Three Investigators" series about boys solving puzzles. He also made radio shows full of adventure and tricks. He died on 2 May 1969. His stories teach us to be smart and brave. This tale shows how brains beat guns!
What’s the Story About?
This is a fun spy story full of tricks and quick thinking. It happens in a hotel room in Paris, France. The hero is not strong or tall – he is fat and calm. But he is super smart! Let’s see it step by step, like a movie.
The Start: A Boring Night?
A young writer named Fowler wants to write about spies. He meets Ausable, a secret agent. Fowler thinks Ausable looks funny – he is fat, talks like an American, and drinks beer. "This is not exciting!" thinks Fowler. They go to Ausable's small hotel room. Ausable says he will get a secret paper about new missiles (big weapons). Fowler is bored.
The Surprise: A Bad Visitor
They open the door. Boom! A thin man with a gun stands there. His name is Max. He is another spy, a bad one. Max wants the secret paper too. He points the gun at Ausable and Fowler. "Give me the paper or I shoot!" says Max. Fowler is scared and shakes. But Ausable? He just sighs like it's no big deal.
Ausable's First Trick: The Balcony Lie
Ausable looks at the open window. He says, "Oh no! The balcony!" Max asks, "What balcony?" Ausable says, "This room has a balcony outside the window. But it's from the room next door. People try to climb in sometimes." Max looks worried. He does not know there is no balcony! It's a sixth-floor drop to the street. Ausable made it up!
The Big Trick: Police Are Coming!
Suddenly, there is a loud knock on the door. Bang! Bang! Ausable smiles. "It's the police! I called them because I saw a light in my room from the street." Max turns white. "Police? They will catch me!" Ausable says, "They come for the report on missiles. Quick, hide!" The knocking gets louder. "Open up! Police!"
Max's Big Mistake
Max panics. He runs to the window to jump to the "balcony." But there is none! He looks down – six floors high! Crash! Max falls out and screams. The police knock again. Ausable opens the door. It's not police – it's the hotel waiter with extra beer Ausable ordered!
Happy End
Fowler stares. Ausable laughs. "See? Brains win, not guns." Fowler now sees Ausable as a real hero. They drink beer. The secret paper? It comes later by mail. Max is gone forever.
Simple Idea: Looks can fool you. A smart head is better than a strong body or a gun.
Who’s Who in the Story
Here’s your character section in clean list format (no tables):
- Ausable – A fat secret agent who is very smart and calm. He is the real hero of the story.
- Fowler – A young writer who wants excitement but gets scared at first. Later, he learns a lesson about real intelligence.
- Max – A thin, mean, and dangerous spy with a gun. He is the midnight visitor who tries to steal the secret report.
(Only three men! No girls or animals.)
Themes and Moral
Main Themes
- Brains Over Muscles: Ausable uses his head, not strength, to win.
- Looks Can Lie: Fat Ausable seems weak, but he is the smartest.
- Stay Calm in Danger: Panic makes you lose, like Max.
- Tricks Save Lives: Lies and quick ideas beat real fights.
Moral Lessons
- Think Fast: Use your mind to solve big problems.
- Don't Judge by Looks: A quiet person can be very strong inside.
- Bravery is Smart: Be brave by staying cool, not shouting.
- Good Wins with Wit: Bad guys lose when good guys are clever.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Very easy words with simple meanings
Words
- Spy – A secret agent who finds hidden information. (Ausable is a spy.)
- Pistol – A small gun. (Max holds a pistol.)
- Balcony – A flat space outside a window. (Ausable lies about the balcony.)
- Report – A written paper with secret facts. (It is the report on missiles.)
- Missiles – Flying weapons like big rockets. (The report is about new missiles.)
- Panicked – Very scared and confused. (Max panicked and jumped.)
- Escalator – Moving stairs in a building. (Ausable talks funnily about the escalator.)
- Waiter – A man who brings food in a hotel. (The waiter brings beer, not police.)
Phrases
- At gunpoint – When someone points a gun at you. (Max holds them at gunpoint.)
- Quick wit – Thinking and acting smartly in a short time. (Ausable’s quick wit saves the day.)
- Made up – Invented a story. (Ausable made up the balcony.)
- Knocking grew louder – The sound of knocking got stronger. (The knocking grew louder.)
- Sighed deeply – Breathed out long in worry or relief. (Ausable sighed deeply.)
Tip: Say these words out loud like in the story. Act the tricks with friends! 🕵️
Fun Activity
- Pretend you are Ausable.
- A bad guy comes with a toy gun.
- Make up a trick to scare him away! What do you say?
This story shows spies are real heroes with big brains. Read it at night for fun chills! 🌙