Eight

As we reached the bottom, we saw old Shasthibabu wandering about the stairwell, broom and dustpan in hand. He shot us a sidelong, sardonic glance. The fierce expression I’d seen on our first meeting was gone; now, his crumpled face seemed almost softened by a keen curiosity.

Byomkesh paused and asked, “Your name is Shasthibabu?”

He scrutinized Byomkesh carefully, then replied, “Yes. And you—who are you—?”

Byomkesh offered no introduction, only said briefly, “Don’t ask, my friend. I was owed money by Anadi Halder, and it seems that money is lost for good. You’ve probably heard the man is dead.”

The suspicion and caution faded from Shasthibabu’s face. With great satisfaction, he said, “I’ve heard. Last night—”

Byomkesh Samagra

—I’ve been hearing since then. “How did he die?” This last question he asked, craning his neck so that his words were almost whispered into Byomkesh’s ear.

Byomkesh replied, “Haven’t you heard? Someone murdered him. I heard you were sitting out on the veranda until quite late last night—”

With a gesture of irritation, Shasthibabu said, “What could I do? The boys from the para started bursting firecrackers right in front of the house. Just look there, how many spent tubri shells are lying around. And not just tubri! The din from those Chinese firecrackers was enough to split my ears. I thought, there’s no hope of sleep, might as well watch the fireworks. So, how was he killed? Was it with a knife?”

Byomkesh sidestepped the question and said, “So, you were sitting on the veranda from evening till late at night. Did anyone come to see Anadi Halder during that time?”

“No one. Not until after midnight, when that boy and his mother arrived and started banging on the door. Then Napa came. Then Kesto Das.”

“No one else in between?”

“No one entered the house. Though—I did see one of Anadi Halder’s nephews loitering by the footpath, near the hotel.”

“Is that so? And then?”

“Didn’t see him after that. At least, he didn’t come into this house.”

“What time did you see him?”

“I didn’t really note the time. But early on, the babus were still upstairs in the hotel, sitting by the window, playing dice. Must have been around ten, maybe half past ten. So, have you found out who killed him?”

Byomkesh lowered his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Did you have any quarrel with Anadi Halder?”

Shasthibabu started, “Eh! Quarrel? Well, it’s not as if there wasn’t any.”

“You didn’t go upstairs last night?”

“Me! Why would I go upstairs? You’re quite a character, aren’t you? What are you getting at?” Shasthibabu was beginning to bristle.

“You don’t know who killed Anadi Halder?”

“How would I know! The one who killed him knows, how would I? You’re a dangerous man, sir! I’m an old man, keep to myself, and now you want to frame me?”

Byomkesh laughed. “I don’t want to frame you. You’re doing that yourself. You’re so