The following morning a stranger dropped in on us.

I had just finished my tea and was about to open the morning paper when there was a knock on the door.

Byomkesh looked up attentively and called out, ‘Who is it? Please come on in.’

A decently dressed youth came in. He was clean-shaven, slim in build and looked to be on the right side of thirty. There was something athletic about the way he carried himself. Walking in, he smiled pleasantly at us and joined his hands in greeting, saying, ‘I hope you do not mind my coming to bother you at this early hour. My name is Prafulla Roy; I am an insurance agent.’ He dropped into a chair uninvited.

Byomkesh said disinterestedly, ‘We do not have the money to take out a life insurance policy.’

Prafulla Roy laughed out loud. There is a breed of people who look quite presentable otherwise, but when they laugh, they become quite unsightly. Prafulla Roy belonged to that category. He was probably a chronic paan-chewer because his teeth were heavily stained by the betel-leaf juice. I was intrigued seeing how a handsome face could be thus distorted.

Prafulla Roy continued to laugh as he said, ‘I may be an insurance agent, but that isn’t exactly what has brought me here. Of course, these days even our near and dear ones have taken to slamming the door shut on our faces even before we can speak; and I can’t say I blame them either. But you may rest assured that right now I do not have any such nefarious intent. You, I presume, are Byomkeshbabu—the famous detective? I have come to take some advice from you on a private matter, sir—if you have no objections...’

Byomkesh’s lips curled in irritation as he said, ‘There has to be some advance payment for a consultation.’

Prafulla Roy immediately took a ten-rupee note out of his wallet and placed it on the table, saying, ‘What I have to say is not exactly classified, but...’ he glanced at me inquiringly. I made as if to leave, but Byomkesh said, quite sternly, ‘He is my associate and friend. You may say whatever you have to say in front of him.’

Prafulla Roy said, ‘Certainly, certainly. Since he is your associate, I have no objections at all. You are—? Oh, forgive me, Ajitbabu, I did not realize that you are Byomkeshbabu’s friend. You are a fortunate man indeed, working so closely with such a famous detective, helping crack so many strange cases and crimes—it is no small matter. You probably do not have a dull moment in your life. I sometimes wish I could quit this boring life of an insurance agent and lead a life like yours.’ He took out a case of paan from his pocket and put one in his mouth.

Byomkesh was growing increasingly restless and he said, ‘I think it would be nice if you now state your case on which you need