I woke at six-thirty the following morning as my bed-tea arrived. But Feluda appeared to have risen long before me. ‘I’ve been for a walk. Went to see the town,’ he told me. ‘What did you see?’ ‘Oh, a lot of things. The main thing is that now I’m convinced our visit isn’t going to be a waste of time.’ Lalmohan Babu entered the room at this moment and declared that he hadn’t slept so soundly for a long time. ‘I think the old lady upstairs also slept well last night. She got up much later than usual this morning,’ Feluda remarked. ‘How on earth do you know that?’ ‘Ananta told me. He said she was late for her visit to the river. Normally she goes to the ghat at six every morning.’ The three of us were sitting on the veranda. Mr Chowdhury joined us in ten minutes. He had had his bath, and looked quite fresh. ‘I’m afraid I’ve been recognized,’ Feluda told him. ‘Your old classmate knows who I am.’ ‘What!’ ‘Yes. You were right about him. He knows much more than he lets on.’ ‘So should I tell everyone else the truth, do you think?’ ‘Yes, but if you do that, you’ll also have to tell them why I am here. I mean, your secret can no longer remain a secret, can it?’ Mr Chowdhury began to look worried and unhappy. But before he could say anything, Mr Kanjilal and Mr Roy appeared together. Almost in the same instant, a car tooted outside the front door. Feluda, Lalmohan Babu and I went with Mr Chowdhury to see who had arrived. The other two remained on the veranda. A black Ambassador with a red cross painted on one side was standing outside. Dr Sarkar and Jayanta Babu got out and came walking towards us. The wound on Jayanta Babu’s head was now dressed. Some of his hair had had to be shaved for this purpose. ‘I am so very sorry,’ he said to his cousin. ‘I ruined your birthday, didn’t I? Actually, my blood pressure—’ ‘Yes, Mr Chowdhury is aware of the details,’ Dr Sarkar cut in. ‘You’re fine now, and there is no cause for concern. But no more roaming in the sun for you.’ ‘You’ll stay for a cup of tea, won’t you?’ invited Mr Chowdhury. ‘Yes, a cup of tea would be very nice, thank you.’ ‘Where are the others?’ asked Jayanta Babu.

‘They’re on the veranda.’ Dr Sarkar and Jayanta Babu went off to join the others. Mr Chowdhury was about to follow them, but Feluda’s words stopped him. ‘Wait, Mr Chowdhury, there’s something we need to do before we go back to the veranda,’ Feluda said. There was something in his tone that made Mr Chowdhury look up in surprise. ‘What is it?’ ‘You said your aunt had the duplicate key to the chest in her room. Would she give it to us now?’ ‘Yes, certainly if I asked her for it.