Inspector Singh stayed on for the next three hours to question everyone. He had a word with Feluda first of all. ‘Did you hear anything suspicious last night?’ ‘No. The noise from the river tends to drown every other sound.’ ‘Yes, that’s true. That’s an advantage for a criminal, isn’t it? By the way, I haven’t met your companions.’ ‘Sorry, let me introduce them. This is Lalmohan Ganguli, he’s a writer; and that’s my cousin, Tapesh.’ Inspector Singh asked us the same questions, then allowed us to go into town. The three of us found a restaurant and ordered tea and omelettes. No one had had the chance to have breakfast. ‘What surprises me,’ said Lalmohan Babu, munching thoughtfully, ‘is that when the culprit couldn’t kill the son, he decided to kill the father.’ ‘It may not necessarily be the same man. Someone might have had something against Vijay Mallik, but a totally different person might have attacked his father.’ ‘My suspicions have fallen on someone.’ ‘Who?’ ‘Dr Majumdar. He’s supposed to be a doctor, a man of science; and, at the same time, he’s speaking to the dead. It’s peculiar, don’t you think?’ ‘Perhaps. It’s true that he had the best opportunity, since he slept only a few feet away from the deceased. But what motive could he possibly have had? Stealing that diamond ring? If so, he must be in desperate need of money. But there’s nothing to indicate that he is.’ ‘What about Vijay Mallik?’ ‘He stands to gain a lot, there’s no doubt about that. Mr Mallik was pretty wealthy, and Vijay will get all his assets—unless, of course, Mr Mallik made a will and left his money to someone else.’ ‘But why should Vijay want to kill his father? He’s got a good job, he earns reasonably well. Why should he be in need of a vast amount of money? I mean, killing another human being isn’t child’s play, is it?’ ‘No, it most certainly isn’t, and like you, I cannot see what pressing motive Vijay could have had.’ ‘Sushant Som? What about him?’ ‘Qualified and efficient, a man Mr Mallik used to depend on quite heavily. No discernible motive there, either.’ ‘Well then . . . suppose it was a case of revenge? Surely Mr Mallik had loads of enemies?’ ‘True. That’s what I’ve been thinking. Just consider the number of people he had sent to the gallows.’

‘But . . . well, revenge can be ruled out at least in his son’s case, I think.’ ‘Absolutely, which brings us back to square one.’ After lunch that afternoon, Feluda said he wanted to go for another walk, this time in the main town. Only a long walk would clear his head. ‘Keep your weapon with you, Felu Babu, even if you’re only going into town,’ Lalmohan Babu advised him. We went and sat by the river again. Mr Som came and joined us. ‘A bolt from the blue, wasn’t it?’ he said, sounding upset. ‘Yes, please sit down,’ I offered him a chair. What he had said was quite true. We were all still feeling dazed. ‘What does the inspector say?’ Lalmohan Babu asked. ‘He seems to think it’s likely that a burglar did it. That ring was very expensive, you see. There was a big diamond, surrounded by emeralds. Although Pahalgam is a small town, burglaries do occur. It’s been on the increase ever since tourists began coming here in large numbers. Even thirty years ago, it was a perfectly peaceful and safe area.’ ‘Are you confined to your tents?’ ‘No, we are allowed to go into town, but we cannot leave Pahalgam.’ ‘When is the funeral?’ ‘This evening.’ Feluda returned at five o’clock. I couldn’t help feeling worried while he was gone, but he said now that the police were involved in the case, it was much safer for him to be out and about. Whoever had attacked him wouldn’t dare risk being caught by the police. ‘I am very glad to hear that, Felu Babu, but did your long walk help you?’ Lalmohan Babu asked. ‘Yes, it certainly did. But I need to go back to Srinagar, or I couldn’t really bring this case to a close.’ ‘When do you want to go?’ ‘Tomorrow.’ ‘What about us?’ ‘You two should stay on here. I hope to be back in a couple of days. Don’t worry about anything. You couldn’t possibly be in a more beautiful place, could you?’ ‘No, but why do you have to rush off to Srinagar? Have you seen the light?’ ‘Yes. I really had gone blind, I ought to have seen it before.’ ‘But still there is partial darkness, you reckon?’ ‘Right, and that’s why I have to go back to Srinagar. But before I go, I have to ask a few questions. Let’s start with Prayag.’ Mr Som returned to his tent and came back with Prayag. We then went to our own tent. ‘Have a seat, Prayag,’ Feluda said. Prayag sat down. ‘I am going to ask you some questions. I want honest and correct answers. All right?’ ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘How long have you worked for the Malliks?’

‘Five years.’ ‘Where were you before?’ ‘With Mr Jacob. I was his bearer. He lived in Park Street.’ ‘How did Mr Mallik get you?’ ‘Mr Jacob was leaving for England. He did not need me any more. So he wrote a letter to Mr Mallik and I took it to him.’ ‘How did Jacob and Mallik know each other?’ ‘They went to the same club.’ ‘What’s your full name?’ ‘Prayag Mishir.’ ‘Who else is there in your family?’ ‘No one. My wife is dead. I have two daughters, but they’re married. I live alone.’ ‘I see. Didn’t you hear any noise last night?’ ‘No, sir.’ ‘Who could have killed your master?’ ‘I have no idea, sir. I could never have imagined this might happen.’ ‘Very well, you may go now.’ Prayag left. Feluda got Mr Som to