I said, ‘I see that your sympathies for Malati Devi are on the upsurge.’

‘And whyever not?’

I continued, ‘Your sympathies for Rajani are ebbing with equal speed?’

‘Certainly not. I have nothing against Rajani. She is not to blame in all of this. The blame lies squarely with the male species.’

I raised a finger in mock-warning, saying, ‘Look here, don’t bring “species” into it!’

Satyaboti crinkled her nose and marched into the kitchen.

When we reached Mahidharbabu’s house it was still early evening, but the shadows were lengthening in the garden. There was no one at the gates. I presumed the gates stayed open at night.

The main door was open, but it didn’t seem as though anyone was at home. After a few attempts at clearing our throats loudly, an aged domestic appeared at the doorway. He said, ‘The master is resting upstairs. The little mistress is out in the garden. Please have a seat and I shall call her.’

Byomkesh said, ‘No need for that. We’ll find our way.’ He headed straight for one specific corner of the garden. The trees and bushes made it difficult to see very far, but the tiny paths spread out under our feet like spiders’ webs. I realized that Byomkesh was making for Phalguni’s dwelling.

We reached the corner of the compound. A tiny hut stood there, with clay tiles for a roof; it looked like a shed to stock the gardening tools. Just beside it there was a huge draw-well.

The door to the hut lay open, but it was dark inside. I beamed my torch into the interiors. Someone was lying upon a pile of hay. As the light shone upon him, he got up and came outside. It was Phalguni Pal.

Today he was not in a good mood; his voice was full of injured pride. He said, ‘Are you from the police too, come to search my room? Well, come on in and take a look. You won’t find anything. I may be poor, but I am not a thief.’

Byomkesh said, ‘We have not come to search. We just want to ask you a few questions. Why did you go to Ushanathbabu’s house last night?’

Bitterly, Phalguni replied, ‘I had done a sketch of him and I took it to show him. The watchman didn’t let me in and sent me away. Fine, that suits me. But was it necessary to set the police on my heels?’

Byomkesh said, ‘That was very unfair indeed. I shall tell the police; they will not trouble you again.’

‘Thank you. ‘ Phalguni went back into his dark hut. We retraced our steps.

Daylight was almost gone. We began to wander aimlessly in the garden, but did not see Rajani anywhere.

At the far end of the garden, there was a raised field house built with stones. It was encircled by a girdle of verdant moss. The field house was square in shape and resembled a pyramid. As we