We had been warned that customs officials in Nepal were very strict. Apparently, every single passenger was required to have all his baggage examined. Lalmohan Babu, I noticed, was looking somewhat uneasy. This surprised me since I knew none of us was carrying anything suspicious. On being questioned, he said, ‘I brought a little aam papad in a tiffin box. Suppose they object?’ They didn’t. Lalmohan Babu relaxed, turned towards the exit, and froze. I followed his gaze and saw why. One of the two Batras was standing near the door, talking to a tall, white man with a beard. It turned out to be the real Mr Batra. His face broke into a smile as he caught sight of Feluda. He said ‘Excuse me’ to his companion and came forward to greet us. ‘Welcome to Kathmandu!’ he said. ‘I felt I had to come,’ Feluda explained. ‘Very good, very good.’ Mr Batra shook our hands. ‘I don’t think that other man followed me back here. There hasn’t been any problem in the last few days. How long are you here for?’ ‘About a week.’ ‘Where are you staying?’ ‘Hotel Lumbini.’ ‘It’s a new hotel, and quite good. If you want to go sightseeing, I can make all the arrangements for you. My office is only five minutes from your hotel.’ ‘Thank you. By the way, do you get Indian newspapers here? Did you see this?’ Feluda took out a cutting from the Statesman and handed it to Mr Batra. It was a report on the murder of Mr Som. Mr Batra read it quickly, then looked up, his eyes filled with apprehension. ‘What that report does not say,’ Feluda told him, ‘is that a man called Batra bought that Nepali kukri from the shop in the Grand Hotel. The police had this verified.’ ‘Oh my God!’ Mr Batra went very pale. ‘You didn’t know Anikendra Som, did you?’ ‘No, never heard of him.’ ‘He travelled on the same plane as you.’ ‘From Kathmandu? Nepal Airlines?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Then maybe I’d have recognized him if I saw him, although—mind you—there were a hundred and thirty passengers on that flight.’ ‘Yes. Anyway, try and stay away from Calcutta for the moment,’ Feluda said lightly. ‘But why should anyone try to harass me like this, Mr Mitter?’ Mr Batra wailed.

‘Well, I can think of a good reason,’ Feluda said slowly. ‘If a criminal discovers that he has a look- alike, isn’t it natural for him to try and frame the other man, so that he himself can get away scot free?’ ‘All right, but this is no ordinary crime, Mr Mitter. We’re talking of murder!’ ‘I am convinced, Mr Batra, that the killer will return to Kathmandu. Anikendra Som had gone to Calcutta to seek my help. I do not know what he wanted me to do, but I won’t rest in peace until I’ve caught the man who murdered him. So if you, or anyone you know, sees this man who