It seemed cooler the following morning, so Baba told me to wrap a muffler round my throat. I could tell from his frown and preoccupied air that he was deeply worried. Dhiru Kaka had left the house very early in the morning without telling anyone where he was going. After yesterday’s incident, he had said only one thing over and over: ‘How will I now face Srivastava?’ Baba had tried to comfort him by saying: ‘But it wasn’t your fault! How were, you to know the thief would turn up in your absence dressed as a sadhu? Why don’t you go to the police? Didn’t you say you knew Inspector Gargari?’ So it could be that Dhiru Kaka had gone to inform the police. Baba said over breakfast: ‘I had thought of taking you to the Residency. But perhaps it’s best that I stay in today. You two can go out for a while, if you like.’ I nearly smiled at this, for Feluda had already said he’d like to explore the place on foot and I had decided to join him. I knew what he had in mind was something other than just aimless walking. His eyes had taken on a steely glint since last night. We left shortly after eight. As soon as we were out of the house, Feluda said, ‘Let me warn you, Topshe. If you talk or ask too many questions, I’ll send you back. Just keep your mouth shut and walk by my side.’ ‘But what if Dhiru Kaka informs the police?’ ‘So what if he does?’ ‘Suppose they catch the thief before you?’ ‘No matter. I’ll change my name, that’s all.’ Dhiru Kaka lived on Frazer Road. It was a quiet street, with houses which had large gardens on either side. It led to Dupling Road. Unlike Calcutta, all roads in Lucknow were clearly marked. There was a paan shop at the corner where Dupling Road joined Park Road. Feluda ambled towards this shop. ‘Can I have a meetha (sweet) paan?’ he asked. ‘Yes, babu, I’ll make you one with special masala,’ said the paanwalla. ‘Thank you.’ The paan was duly handed to him. Feluda paid for it, put it in his mouth and said, ‘Look, I am new to this town. Can you tell me where can I find the Ramakrishna Mission?’ ‘Ramakrishna Mishir?’ ‘No, no. Ramakrishna Mission. I’ve heard that a great sadhu is visiting Lucknow and is staying at the Ramakrishna Mission.’ The paanwalla shook his head and muttered something I couldn’t catch. But we got some information from another source.

A man with a huge moustache was lying on a string bed nearby, singing merrily and beating an old rusted tin. He now stopped singing and said, ‘Would that be a bearded sadhubaba? Wearing dark glasses? Yesterday I spoke to such a man. He asked me where the nearest tonga stand was, and I showed him.’ ‘Where is it?’ ‘Five minutes from here. Just after that crossing, you can