Eleven Roland Road was a house with two storeys, built during British times. A bearer in uniform answered the door, and took us upstairs. The wooden stairs were covered by a carpet. Mr Sengupta arrived in a couple of minutes, wearing a, dressing gown and bedroom slippers. In his hand he held a cheroot. ‘Can I offer you a drink?’ he asked after we had introduced ourselves. ‘No, thank you. We don’t drink,’ Feluda replied. ‘I hope you won’t mind if I have a beer?’ ‘No, of course not.’ Mr Sengupta called his bearer and told him to bring us tea, and a glass of beer for himself. Then he turned to Feluda. ‘If you don’t mind, Mr Sengupta,’ Feluda said before he could speak, ‘Could you first tell me why you were keen to meet me? I will then tell you the reason why I wanted to come here.’ ‘Very well. Have you heard of G.P. Chawla?’ ‘Guru Prasad Chawla? The businessman?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘One of his grandsons—?’ ‘Yes, he’s missing. Possibly kidnapped.’ ‘I read about it in the papers.’ ‘I have known Chawla for many years. The police are doing their best, but I suggested your name to Chawla.’ ‘I am sorry, Mr Sengupta, but I am already working on a case. I couldn’t take on another one.’ ‘I see.’ ‘In fact, I am here regarding this case I am handling right now.’ ‘Really? What’s it about?’ ‘It involves Dr Munshi.’ ‘What!’ Mr Sengupta jumped to his feet. ‘Munshi told you about me? Then in just a few weeks the whole world will come to know who A is, when they read his book.’ ‘Look, Mr Sengupta, I know how to keep a secret. You may trust me. But no good can possibly come out of sending repeated threats to Dr Munshi.’ ‘Why shouldn’t I threaten him? Have you read his book?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘What did you think?’

‘He has mentioned something that happened thirty years ago. In these thirty years, there has been embezzlement of funds in at least five hundred banks. It is very likely that many of the other culprits have names that also start with A. You have nothing to fear.’ ‘Has Munshi mentioned the name of my bank?’ ‘No.’ ‘There were two officers there who had suspected me at the time. I had gone to them to borrow some money, but neither had agreed.’ ‘Mr Sengupta, let me assure you again—you have no cause for concern. Besides, what do you think you are going to gain by sending these notes? Dr Munshi has done nothing to break the law. You couldn’t possibly take any legal action against him. Surely you aren’t thinking of doing anything illegal?’ ‘If I find myself in trouble, Mr Mitter, I am not going to worry about the law. Since you know my history, you must also know that I would not hesitate to take drastic measures.’ ‘You seem to have gone quite mad, Mr Sengupta. You are not the same man you were thirty years ago. You are well-known now, and highly respected. Why should you want to risk losing your position in society by doing something stupid?’ Mr Sengupta did not reply immediately. He sat in silence, sipping his beer. Then his face softened a little. He finished his remaining drink in one gulp, put the glass down on a table and said, ‘All right, damn it! Let him go ahead.’ ‘Does that mean there will be no more threats from you?’ ‘Yes, yes, yes. I will stop—but, let me remind you, if I see even a hint of any trouble whatsoever . . .’ ‘I know, I know. You have made yourself quite clear, Mr Sengupta. I will pass on your message to Dr Munshi.’