Pranavesh Babu, Someshwar Burman’s secretary, told us that he had been working for Mr Burman for the last five years. He had his own house in Bhowanipore, but seeing that many of the rooms here were lying empty, Mr Burman had suggested that he stay in the same house.’ Pranavesh Babu had seen no reason to object. ‘How is Mr Burman as an employer?’ ‘Wonderful. I have no complaints at all.’ ‘How do you like your work?’ ‘I feel amazed by some of the facts Mr Burman has collected. I can’t tell you how many new things I have learnt just by typing his notes for him.’ ‘How long do you work every day?’ ‘Until eight or nine o’clock in the evening.’ ‘You sleep on the ground floor, don’t you?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Do you usually manage to sleep well?’ ‘Yes, most of the time.’ ‘Wasn’t your sleep disturbed last night by a noise, or something else?’ ‘No. I heard what happened only this morning.’ ‘Do you suspect anyone in this house? If no one but the residents of this house knew about that statue, then the culprit might still be here!’ ‘That could well be the case. Am I not one of the suspects myself?’ ‘Yes, you are.’ ‘The police officers will search the whole house, I believe. But it should not be difficult to find a place to hide a tiny object like that. All one has to do is retrieve it once the coast is clear.’ The artist who was drawing Mr Burman’s portrait was also staying in the house. He would have to remain here until his job was done. I found this man somewhat peculiar, possibly because of his appearance—he had a thick beard, and his hair came down to his shoulders. He also spoke very little. But from what I had seen of the unfinished portrait, he was a good artist. His room was also on the ground floor. Feluda knocked on his door. He opened it and looked enquiringly at us. ‘I have a few questions to ask,’ Feluda said. ‘Very well. Please come in.’ His room was quite untidy, as I had expected. Feluda took a chair, I a stool, and Lalmohan Babu sat on the bed. ‘You are Ranen Tarafdar?’

‘Yes.’ ‘How long have you spent in this house?’ ‘I’ve been here since the day I began the portrait, six weeks ago.’ ‘How long do you usually take to finish a portrait?’ ‘If it’s a full figure, and if I can get a couple of hours’ sitting every day, it usually takes me six weeks.’ ‘Then why is it taking you longer this time?’ ‘Because Mr Burman doesn’t like sitting for me for more than an hour every day. Besides, he’s grown quite fond of me, so he’d like me to stay here permanently. He likes having a lot of people around him. One of his sons is living abroad. His daughter is married, and his wife is dead. Mr Burman began feeling extremely lonely after his wife passed away. So he decided to fill his empty house with people. At least, that’s what I think.’ ‘Where did you train as an artist?’ ‘I spent three years in Paris. Before that, I was in the Government College of Art in Calcutta.’ ‘Do you manage to make a decent living out of making portraits?’ ‘No, not any more. Photography has wiped out the popularity artists once enjoyed as makers of portraits. I have gone into abstract painting myself. If Mr Burman had not come forward to sponsor me, I would have been in dire straits.’ ‘Did you know about the stolen statue?’ ‘Yes. Mr Burman had shown it to me. “You are an artist, you will be able to appreciate its real value,” he had said.’ ‘What do you think about the theft and the murder?’ ‘I do not think anyone in this house was involved. Perhaps the thief opened the safe to take some money from it, then saw the statue purely by chance. He gave in to temptation, took it, and then came face to face with Avinash before he could get away. So he had to get rid of Avinash. Self defence must be the only motive behind the murder. I cannot think of anything else.’ ‘Thank you.’ Feluda rose. There were two men left to be interviewed: Surya Kumar and Someshwar Burman. We went to Surya Kumar first. He seemed quiet and somewhat depressed, possibly because the disaster had occurred the same day as his arrival here. ‘You are an unfortunate man!’ Feluda remarked. ‘You can say that again! Mr Burman invited me so warmly, and I was so glad to accept. . . and look what happens on my first night. I can hardly believe it.’ ‘Didn’t you hear any noise?’ ‘Nothing at all. I tend to sleep rather soundly, without waking even once during the night. So I heard nothing.’ ‘Have you got to know everyone in this house?’ ‘No. I’ve met them, but that’s about all. Someshwar Babu is the only person I know.’ ‘Didn’t you see the statue that was stolen?’ ‘No, how could I? I don’t even know what it looked like. A statue of Krishna, that’s all I’ve heard.’

‘Yes, but it was made with five different gems. As beautiful as it was valuable. It must be worth more than a hundred thousand rupees. Will you continue to stay here?’ ‘Someshwar Babu wants me to. He said to me, “There cannot be any question of asking you to leave. I’m just sorry that your stay couldn’t be more pleasant.”’ ‘If you’re going to be around, could I come back and ask you further questions, if need be?’ ‘Of course. Any time.’ We thanked him and made our way to Someshwar Burman. He was still looking stunned. ‘I can understand how devastated you must be feeling,’ Feluda said, ‘but since I am here, I must ask you a few questions, if only to satisfy my