Mr Sen’s house turned out to be a sprawling building, somewhat old fashioned in style, with a front porch. There was a small garden in front of the house. A splash of green behind it suggested a tennis court. A slab of marble on the gate still bore Ambar Sen’s father’s name, which was followed by a lot of letters from the alphabet and commas and full stops. The last word was (Edin.), by which I assumed he had gone to Scotland to study medicine. The man who came out to meet us as our taxi drew up under the porch bore a general resemblance to Ambar Sen, but unlike him, was short, stout and dark. He gave us a smile, but it faded quickly. Ambuj Sen was clearly worried. ‘Please come in,’ he said. We walked across a landing with a marble floor, and went into the living room. Here, too, the floor was made of marble. On it lay a beautiful carpet; there was also a lot of expensive furniture. The sofa I sat on was so soft that it sank by about six inches under my weight. ‘Runa, come here,’ called Ambuj Babu. I noticed a small girl in a frock standing near a door, staring at us in open amazement. She came in and stood by her father. ‘Do you know who this is?’ Ambuj asked her. ‘Yes, it’s Feluda,’ she said softly. ‘And who is this?’ ‘Topshe.’ ‘Oh, so you know both of them?’ ‘Where is Jatayu?’ asked Runa, sounding somewhat disappointed. ‘He couldn’t come with us today, but I’ll bring him here another day, I promise!’ Feluda told her. ‘She has read every story he has written,’ Ambuj Babu informed us. ‘Do you think you can find my uncle?’ Runa asked, looking straight at Feluda. ‘I’ll try; and if you can find me a clue, so much the better.’ ‘A clue?’ ‘Yes. Do you know what that means?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Well then, have you got any that might help us find your uncle quickly?’ ‘Why should I give you a clue? You’re the detective. Finding clues is your job!’ ‘True. You are a very clever girl. What is your real name, Runa?’ ‘Jharna.’ Feluda turned to Ambuj Babu. ‘I need your help in certain matters, Mr Sen, without which I cannot proceed at all.’ ‘I’ll do whatever is required.’

‘I need to talk to every member of your family. I met your brother for just a few minutes. That was not sufficient to get to know him. I also need to go into his study and go through some of his papers. I hope you wouldn’t mind?’ ‘No, of course not.’ ‘Then I shall have to see the spot where your brother used to go for his morning walk.’ ‘No problem. Our driver, Bilash, can take you there.’ By this time, Feluda had risen and was pacing, his eyes fixed on three large bookshelves. ‘Whose books are those?’ ‘Dada’s.’ ‘He appears interested in a lot