We returned to our hotel soon after our meeting with Maganlal. None of us had any idea that there was more in store. We found Harinath Chakravarty waiting for us in the lounge. This surprised us all. What was he doing here so late at night? It was past eleven. ‘Let’s go up to our room,’ Feluda said. Harinath Babu joined us without a word. He was clearly anxious about something. ‘What is the matter, Mr Chakravarty?’ asked Feluda when we were all seated in our room. Harinath Babu took a few seconds to collect his thoughts. Then he said slowly, ‘When Himadri left us so suddenly, I couldn’t think straight. Besides, it didn’t seem worthwhile to talk about such matters when nothing would bring him back.’ ‘What are you talking about? ‘About three years ago,’ Harinath Babu replied after a pause, ‘Himadri had exposed a gang who were smuggling things like ganja and charas. I told you, didn’t I, that he often took his helicopter both to the north and south of Nepal? He discovered the den of these smugglers in the north and informed the police. The whole gang was caught.’ ‘Are you telling us, that just before his death, he had come upon something involving another gang?’ ‘He didn’t tell me anything. But a few days before he died, I saw him discuss something rather animatedly with his friend. I told him not to meddle in these things. These criminals can be totally merciless. But he only laughed and told me not to worry.’ ‘I believe, Mr Mitter, my son would have died, anyway. If an attack of tetanus did not kill him, these crooks would have taken his life somehow.’ ‘Why are you saying this?’ Harinath Babu took out a piece of paper and handed it to Feluda. It had something scribbled on it in red ink. ‘We found this in his trouser pocket after he died.’ ‘Is it written in Nepali?’ ‘Yes. It says, “You have gone too far”.’ Feluda returned the piece of paper to Harinath Babu and smiled wryly. ‘The biggest irony is that one who was on the verge of exposing a drug racket had to die of a spurious drug himself.’ ‘Do you really believe the injection he was given wasn’t genuine?’ Harinath Babu asked. ‘Yes. Hopefully, by tomorrow, we shall know for sure. You see, I’ve asked Dr Divakar to have a sample analysed.’

‘I see. Well, that is all I came to tell you. I hope it helps in some way,’ said Harinath Babu and stood up. ‘It certainly does. I am now much clearer in my mind about what I’m looking for. Thank you, Mr Chakravarty.’ Harinath Babu left. Lalmohan Babu, too, said, ‘Good night’ and went to his room. I went straight to bed after this. What a day it had been! I must have fallen asleep immediately, but was woken a little later by the doorbell. A quick glance at my watch told me it was