Ten

Ratikanta entered the room and said, “The chemical analysis report has just come in. No poison was found in the medicine.”

We stared at him, mouths agape. We had been so certain that curare would be found in the liver vial that the news did not register at first.

“No poison was found?”

“No. Here is the report.” Ratikanta handed a slip of paper to Byomkesh.

There was no mention of any poison in the report—just an ordinary, standard liver extract. Byomkesh cast a furrowed glance at Pandeyji and Ratikanta.

“Most astonishing.”

Ratikanta cleared his throat and said, “Byomkesh Babu, what do you make of this?”

Byomkesh replied, “First, tell me—what do you make of it?”

It seemed to me that Ratikanta was secretly pleased. He sat down on the edge of a chair, gazed intently into space for a while, then slowly said, “There is no doubt that Dipnarayanji died of curare poisoning. The post-mortem confirmed the presence of poison. The toxin entered his body—”

Bohi - Page 541

“How was it done? The poison cannot enter except by injection. Yet, the vial from which the injection was administered—no trace of poison was found in it.” Ratikanta hesitated a moment. “From this, the only conclusion is that the vial Dr. Palit used to give the injection was not the one he handed over to us—he gave us a different vial.”

Pandeyji said, “But why? What would he gain from that?”

Ratikanta replied, a touch of anxiety in his voice, “The gain would be that we would believe the death was not caused by the injection.”

“Could it have been someone other than the doctor? After Dipnarayan’s death, many people entered the room. In the commotion, perhaps someone else switched the vial.”

“Not impossible, but—”

Byomkesh spoke slowly, “You believe Dr. Palit is the true culprit?”

Ratikanta fell silent for a moment, then said, “The hint you gave at the station today about Dr. Palit was already on my mind. Then, after receiving the analysis report, I thought—if Dr. Palit is innocent, why is he not acting straightforwardly? In these circumstances, it is only natural to suspect him. Of course, Dr. Palit has no personal gain in Dipnarayanji’s death. But those who do stand to gain could have bribed him to do their bidding. Perhaps they paid him fifty thousand, or even a lakh of rupees. There is nothing a man won’t do for money.”

Byomkesh nodded slowly. “True enough, there is nothing a man won’t do for money. If Dr. Palit committed this act for money, then it isn’t enough to apprehend only him—we must also catch the one who paid him. Have you any idea who that might be?”

“At first glance, it seems it could be none other than Debanarayan.”

“That does seem likely for now, but where is the proof? Has any evidence been found?”

“No evidence has been found yet.”

Ratikanta looked at Pandeyji and said, “Tonight, I’m taking the one o’clock train to Buxar. If I can interrogate the prisoner and find out whether Dr. Palit purchased curare—”

Pandeyji said, “That could resolve much of this. When will you return?”

“I should be back by tomorrow evening. I’m leaving Sub-Inspector Tiwari in charge at the station.”

“Good. What arrangements have you made for the house?”

“I’m posting four constables under a head constable at Dipnarayanji’s house. They’ll keep watch round the clock. And you’ve already asked Miss Manna to stay with Shakuntala Devi tonight.”

Pandeyji said, “Yes, Miss Manna will stay with Shakuntala for a few days. You know, Shakuntala is expecting.”

After a moment’s silence, Ratikanta spoke in a slightly deeper tone, “I’ve heard. Dipnarayanji was desperate for a child. He never got to see it.”

The clock struck eight with a metallic clang. Ratikanta stood up. “I must go, I have to get ready. Please keep an eye on things here.” With a smile and a salute, Ratikanta departed.

I noticed that Ratikanta’s manner had become much more relaxed and natural this evening. At first, he had been a little stiff. The arrival of Byomkesh in his territory—he had not liked it, deep down.

Byomkesh Samagra

It seems now he understands that Byomkesh does not wish to share in his glory; thus, he has grown reassured.

Byomkesh sat with his eyes closed for a while, then said, “Everything is getting tangled. There is no consistency in Dr. Palit's behavior. He was the first to say that the cause of death was curare, and that it was his injection that killed him. Then why did he switch the medicine vial?” Byomkesh closed his eyes once more.

The sound of a motorcar came from outside. The servant entered and announced, “Dr. Palit has arrived.”

Byomkesh’s trance was abruptly broken. In a soft voice, he said to Pandey, “There’s no use telling the doctor about all this.”

When Dr. Palit entered, Pandeyji seated him with due courtesy.

The doctor spoke wearily, “There is no peace in my soul, Pandeyji. After closing the dispensary, I thought I’d come by to see if there was any news.”

Pandeyji cast a sidelong glance at Byomkesh. Byomkesh said, “We too are searching for news, Doctor, but where is it to be found? If what you said about Shakuntala Devi is true—”

The doctor’s face grew a shade displeased. “If it’s true, any other doctor could examine Shakuntala and know for themselves.”

Byomkesh quickly interjected, “No, no, that’s not what I meant. Shakuntala herself has admitted as much. We are thinking that at that time, Dipnarayan Singh was on his deathbed—”

The doctor said, “There is ample proof of that. Three months ago, Dipnarayan Singh’s condition was very bad. Many doctors in the city saw him; they can attest to it. Besides, a nurse was with him day and night. She can tell you.”

“Is that so? What is the nurse’s name?”

“Miss Lambert. She lives near Medical College.”

Byomkesh asked Pandeyji, “Do you know her?”

Pandeyji replied, “I