When we returned home, Lalmohan Babu said, ‘Someshwar Burman’s words were most mystifying, weren’t they?’ ‘Yes, you’re right,’ Feluda replied. ‘I think he suppressed quite a few facts.’ ‘Yes, I got that impression, too.’ ‘What do you think of the whole thing?’ ‘I am not totally in the dark, that much I can tell you. But I need to find out more about the world of magic. There’s the auction house to consider as well. Let me go there and have a look. You two sit and chat here.’ There was something I had to say to Feluda before he disappeared. ‘Feluda,’ I said, ‘did Nikhil Burman’s words . . . or, rather, his voice . . . well, did that strike you as odd?’ ‘If it did, that’s hardly surprising. But you have to work out why that is so.’ Feluda left, without adding anything further. Lalmohan Babu was following his own train of thought. ‘I don’t like that artist chap,’ he said. ‘Mind you, I am prejudiced against all men with thick beards.’ ‘Did you like Surya Kumar?’ ‘He, too, is a little strange. But I don’t think he’d have gone around breaking safes open on his first night. After all, he wasn’t familiar with the house or its occupants, was he? How was he to know who slept where, which room had the safe, and where its key was kept? But what I am sure of is that the thief was ready for murder. I mean, when he came face to face with the bearer, he could simply have knocked him unconscious, couldn’t he? Surely, that’s all he need have done to get away with his loot? No, I think he came clutching a knife, fully prepared to kill.’ ‘Yes, you may be right.’ ‘I wish we knew what was on Mr Burman’s mind. What did he start to say, and then why did he change his mind? Why did he clam up like that? I think there’s an important clue hidden in what he was saying.’ Before I could say anything, the phone rang. I picked it up and said, ‘Hello.’ ‘Is Mr Mitter there?’ asked a voice. Inspector Ghosh. ‘No, he’s had to go out for a while.’ ‘Please tell him when he gets back that the culprit has been caught. A thief called Gopchand, recently released from prison. He hasn’t confessed, but we know for sure that he wasn’t home last night. Please tell your cousin. I’ll call him again once we get this man’s confession. Your cousin can relax.’ I replaced the receiver, feeling a little let down. This was too easy. This was not what I wanted.

Feluda returned in an hour and a half. I told him at once about the inspector’s call. He appeared quite unperturbed. ‘I learnt a few things,’ he said, hardly paying any attention to what I had just told him. ‘Surya Kumar’s shows aren’t doing all that well. The same goes for Nikhil Burman’s business and