Feluda knew a chartered accountant called Dharani Mukherjee. He rang him the same day. Mr Mukherjee said he knew Ranjan Majumdar very well since both were members of the Saturday Club. On being asked what kind of a man Mr Majumdar was, Mr Mukherjee said he was quiet and reserved, and did not speak to many people. Usually, he was seen sitting alone. He drank occasionally, but never in excess. Mr Mukherjee knew that he had spent a few years in England in his childhood, but could tell us nothing more. The next day, Feluda got hold of a list of students who had attended the intermediate year at St Xavier’s in 1952. ‘I think I’ve heard of one of them. He’s a homeopath,’ said Feluda, quickly scanning the list. ‘Topshe, see if you can get me the telephone number of Dr Hiren Basak.’ I found his number in two minutes. Feluda rang up and made an appointment to see him the next morning at half past eleven. Lalmohan Babu turned up the next day to find out if we had made any progress. We went to Dr Basak’s chamber in his car. The crowded waiting room bore evidence of the doctor’s popularity. His assistant greeted us and took us straight into the consulting room. Dr Basak rose as he saw us, a smile on his face. ‘What brings you here, Mr Mitter? You don’t fall ill often.’ ‘No, no, it isn’t illness that’s brought me here today, Dr Basak. I’ve come only to ask you some questions as a part of my investigations.’ ‘Yes?’ ‘Were you a student at St Xavier’s?’ ‘Yes, I was.’ ‘Will you please look at this photo and tell me if you can recognize these boys?’ Feluda took out the photo from its cellophane wrapper and gave it to Dr Basak. He had already returned the original to Mr Majumdar. This was a copy he had had made. The doctor frowned as he looked at it. ‘I seem to recognize one of them,’ he said after a while. ‘He used to be in my batch. I think his name was Ranjan. Yes, that’s right. Ranjan Majumdar.’ ‘And the other one? I am more interested in him.’ ‘No, sorry, Mr Mitter. I never saw the other boy in my life.’ ‘Didn’t he go to St Xavier’s? I mean, wasn’t he in your batch as well?’ ‘No, I am certain of that.’ Feluda put the photo away. ‘Would there be any point in speaking to any of your other batchmates?’ ‘No, I don’t think so. It’ll only be a waste of time.’ ‘Even so, I’d be very grateful if you could do something for me.’

‘I am willing to do what I can.’ Feluda took out the list of students. ‘Please go through this and tell me if you know how any of these men might be contacted.’ Clearly, he was not going to give up easily. Dr Basak ran his eyes over the list and said,