I felt a sudden stab of disappointment on seeing Mr Singhania. Perhaps it was his name that had made me think of lions and, subconsciously, I was expecting a man with a personality to match the majesty and ferocity of that animal. The man who walked in was of medium height, and everything else about him was so ordinary that it took me a while to accept that this indeed was the wealthy and powerful man who had gone to tempt Mr Upadhyaya. Only his thick moustache seemed to give him an air of importance. ‘My name is Singhania,’ he said. ‘Please sit down.’ We sat on two mattresses. He took the third, and sat facing us. ‘I am aware how well-known you are, Mr Mitter, but so far I haven’t had the chance to meet you,’ he began. ‘Nobody wants to meet me unless they are in trouble,’ Feluda replied lightly. ‘Possibly, but I am not in trouble.’ ‘I know that. In fact, I had heard of you. But I wasn’t sure that you were the same Singhania.’ ‘I’d be very interested to know how you learnt my name.’ ‘Did you ever go to Haridwar?’ ‘Oh yes.’ ‘Did you meet a man called Bhavani Upadhyaya there?’ ‘I did, but how do you know about it?’ ‘Mr Upadhyaya’s landlord told me someone called Singhania had come to meet his tenant, together with another man.’ ‘What else did he tell you?’ ‘You had apparently made a proposition that Upadhyaya found immensely tempting, but he managed to overcome that temptation.’ ‘What a strange man, this Upadhyaya! I have never seen anyone like him. Can you imagine this, Mr Mitter? His monthly income never exceeded five hundred rupees, as he treated the poor without charging a penny. I offered him five hundred thousand. You know about the pendant he was given, don’t you? Originally, I believe it used to belong to the Maharaja of Travancore.’ ‘Yes, I’ve heard that, but what I’d like to know is who told you. I was given to understand that only a handful of people who were close to Chandradeo Singh knew about it.’ ‘You’re right, Mr Mitter. It was one of this handful of people who told me. I have a business in Delhi. I buy and sell precious stones and jewellery. Umashankar Puri’s son, Devishankar, came to me and told me about this pendant. He wanted me to buy it, and naturally, expected a commission. So I went to Haridwar, but Upadhyaya refused to part with it, even at the price I offered. Puri lost all interest, but I did not. I simply cannot give up the idea of buying it. I have come here to make one last

attempt. If Upadhyaya has renounced the world and become a sanyasi, why should he want to hang on to an earthly object like that? Doesn’t it seem strange? Maybe if I made another offer, he’d agree to sell it this time?’ ‘So why don’t you approach him?’ ‘That is impossible.’ ‘Why?’ ‘He now lives in such a remote corner that I couldn’t possibly visit him there. May I ask you something?’ ‘Yes?’ ‘What are you doing here?’ ‘I have come, Mr Singhania, chiefly as a traveller. But I have got a lot of regard for Upadhyaya. If I see anyone trying to harm him, I shall certainly do my best to stop that person.’ ‘Does that mean you are acting as a free agent? I mean, no one has employed you to be here on their behalf?’ ‘No. Why?’ ‘Would you agree to work for me?’ ‘What would you like me to do?’ ‘Go and see Upadhyaya, and persuade him to sell me that pendant. I will give you ten per cent of five hundred thousand. If Upadhyaya does not want to take any money for himself, I am prepared to give it to a member of his family, or whoever he thinks deserves to be paid.’ ‘But are you aware that someone else is interested in this pendant?’ ‘Yes. You mean Pavandeo Singh, don’t you? To be honest, I didn’t know until this evening. A reporter called Bhargav came and met me here. Who knew reporters would chase me even in Kedarnath? Anyway, it was he who told me. But I believe Singh is here simply to make a film.’ ‘Sure. But Upadhyaya and his pendant will play a major role in his film.’ Mr Singhania began to look utterly helpless. ‘Please, Mr Mitter,’ he begged, ‘please help me.’ ‘Did you mention anything to Bhargav?’ ‘No, of course not. I told him I was only a pilgrim here.’ ‘Bhargav himself is interested in Upadhyaya, but only as material for a scoop.’ ‘You haven’t answered my question.’ ‘Look, all I can promise to do is this: if I find Upadhyaya, I will pass on what you’ve just told me. I personally feel if he doesn’t want to keep the pendant with him any more, he’d like to give it to someone. I don’t think he’ll agree to sell it. So let’s not make any firm arrangements right now. I will let you know what happens if I can get to meet him at all.’ ‘Very well. Thank you, Mr Mitter, thank you very much.’ It was dark outside. The town of Kedarnath was slowly going to sleep. The lights in the houses, the shops as well as the streets were all so dim that they didn’t really make much difference. In the middle of it all, one light shone very brightly. Curious, we made our way to it, and found Pavandeo Singh

filming the streets of Kedar with the help of a battery-operated light. He stopped as he saw us, and asked, ‘Any luck with Upadhyaya?’ Instead of giving him an answer, Feluda asked him a question. ‘Where are you staying here?’ ‘I have got a room in a private house. The house belongs to a panda. It’s not far from here. See that lane on the