What was the initial impression Fowler had of Ausable when they first met?

Fowler expected excitement and adventure, but found Ausable to be overweight and unimpressive.

Ausable mentioned a balcony that was supposedly used to access his room. What was the actual outcome related to this balcony?

There was no balcony, and Max, who tried to escape through it, fell to his death.

Fill in the blank: Ausable was holding an important document that several people risked their lives for, which Max demanded at gunpoint. The knocking at the door was actually a ___ bringing drinks.

Waiter

True or False: Ausable was genuinely afraid when Max threatened him with a gun.

False. Ausable remained calm and used clever tactics to outsmart Max.

What clever strategy did Ausable use to make Max nervous during their confrontation?

Ausable suggested that the police were knocking on the door, which made Max anxious about getting caught.

What was Ausable's primary concern when he encountered Max in his hotel room?

Ausable was concerned about the report he was expecting, which Max intended to steal.

Fill in the blank: Ausable tricked Max into thinking there was a ___ just below his window.

Balcony

True or False: Max used a master key to enter Ausable's room without any prior knowledge of the situation.

True

How did Ausable manage to outsmart Max during their confrontation?

Ausable fabricated a story about a non-existent balcony, causing Max to jump out the window, thinking he could escape.

What effect did the arrival of the waiter have on Max's actions?

The arrival of the waiter, which Ausable suggested was the police, made Max nervous and prompted him to jump out the window.

What does Ausable's character reveal about the theme of appearance versus reality?

The narrative emphasizes that true capability may not always be visible on the surface. This is captured in the theme of ___ and ___.

Do Not Judge by Appearances

True or False: The story suggests that physical strength is more important than intelligence in overcoming challenges.

False. The story emphasizes the value of intelligence and quick thinking over physical strength, as demonstrated by Ausable's ability to outsmart Max.

What lesson does the story convey about wit and intelligence in the face of danger?

The story illustrates that wit and intelligence can triumph over physical threats, as Ausable uses his cleverness to outmaneuver Max and escape danger.

What does the term 'musty' describe in terms of smell?

Musty describes a stale, moldy smell, often associated with dampness or decay.

Fill in the blank: The atmosphere of the abandoned house was described as ___, making it feel eerie and unsettling.

Gloomy

True or False: The word 'prosaic' implies that something is imaginative and original.

False. 'Prosaic' means lacking imaginativeness or originality.

What is the meaning of 'espionage'?

Espionage is the practice of spying or using spies to gather secret information.

Fill in the blanks: A person who is ___ may feel let down after discovering that something or someone is not as good as they thought.

Disillusioned

What does it mean if something is described as 'authentic'?

If something is authentic, it is of undisputed origin and is considered genuine.

Fill in the blank: The sound of the old man ___ as he spoke indicated he was struggling to breathe.

Wheezed

What attitude does a 'crafty' person typically exhibit?

A crafty person is clever at achieving their aims by indirect or deceitful methods.

True or False: The term 'commanding' refers to someone who has no authority.

False. 'Commanding' refers to having a position of authority.

Fill in the blank: Changes in the pitch or tone of a person's voice are referred to as ___ in linguistics.

Inflection

Explain how the mood of a person described as 'moodily' would likely change.

A person who is moodily given to unpredictable changes of mood, especially experiencing sudden bouts of gloominess or sullenness.