To my surprise, Sunil Tarafdar rang us on Tuesday. Surely the press reporters were not going to report anything for another couple of days? Feluda spoke briefly on the phone, then told me what had happened. ‘The news has spread, you see, Topshe,’ he said. ‘After all, eight hundred people saw his show on Sunday. A lot of them must have talked about Nayan. Anyway, the upshot was that Tarafdar got four telephone calls. Each one of these four people are wealthy and important, and they all want to talk to Nayan. Tarafdar asked them to come after nine tomorrow morning. Each one will be given fifteen minutes, and they’ve been told three other people will be present at the interview—that’s you, me and Lalmohan Babu. Ring him now and tell him.’ ‘I will, but who are these four people?’ ‘An American, a businessman from north India, an Anglo-Indian and a Bengali. The American is supposed to be an impresario. Tarafdar wants us to be around because he’s not sure he can handle the situation alone.’ When I rang Lalmohan Babu, he decided to come over at once. ‘Srinath!’ he yelled as he came in and sat down in his favourite couch. Srinath was our cook. He appeared with fresh tea in just a few minutes. ‘What’s cooking, Felu Babu?’ Lalmohan Babu asked with a grin. ‘Do I smell something familiar?’ ‘You are imagining things, my friend. Nothing’s happened yet for anything to start cooking.’ ‘I’ve been thinking about that boy constantly. What an amazing power he’s got, hasn’t he?’ ‘Yes. But these things are entirely unpredictable. One day, without any apparent reason, he may lose this power. If that happens, there won’t be any difference left between Nayan and other ordinary boys of his age.’ ‘Yes, I know. Anyway, we’re going to Tarafdar’s house tomorrow morning, right?’ ‘Yes, but let me tell you something. I am not going in my professional capacity.’ ‘No?’ ‘No. I will simply be a silent spectator. If anyone has to talk, it will be you.’ ‘Hey, you really mean that?’ ‘Of course.’ ‘Very well, Felu Babu. I shall do my best.’ Mr Tarafdar lived in Ekdalia Road. His house must have been built over fifty years ago. It had two storeys and a small strip of a garden near the front gate. An armed guard stood at the gate. Mr Tarafdar had clearly taken Feluda’s advice. The guard opened the gate on being given Feluda’s name.

As we made our way to the main door, Feluda said under his breath, ‘Within two years, Tarafdar will leave this house and move elsewhere, you mark my words.’ A bearer opened the door and invited us in. We followed him into the drawing room. The room wasn’t large, but was tastefully furnished. Sunil Tarafdar arrived a minute later, accompanied by a huge Alsatian. Feluda, I knew, loved dogs. No matter how large or ferocious a dog might be, Feluda simply couldn’t resist the temptation to stroke its back. He did the same with this Alsatian. ‘He’s called Badshah,’ Mr Tarafdar informed us. ‘He’s twelve years old and a very good watchdog.’ ‘Excellent. I am please to see your house so well-protected. Well, here we are, fifteen minutes before the others, just as you had asked.’ ‘Thank you, Mr Mitter. I knew you’d be punctual.’ ‘Did you take this house on rent?’ ‘No, sir. My father built it. He was a well-known attorney. I grew up in this house.’ ‘Aren’t you married?’ ‘No.’ Mr Tarafdar smiled. ‘I am in no hurry to get married. I must get my show established first.’ The same bearer came in with tea and samosas. Feluda picked up a samosa and said, ‘I am not going to utter a single word today. This gentleman will do the talking. You do know who he is, don’t you?’ ‘Certainly!’ Mr Tarafdar exclaimed, raising his eyebrows. ‘Who doesn’t know the famous writer of crime thrillers, Lalmohan Ganguli?’ Lalmohan Babu acknowledged this compliment with a small salute, thereby indicating openly that he thought modesty was a waste of time. Feluda finished his samosa and lit a Charminar. ‘I’d like to tell you something quite frankly, Sunil,’ he began. ‘I noticed an absence of showmanship in your performance. A modern magician like you mustn’t neglect that particular aspect. Your hypnotism and Nayan are both remarkable, no doubt, but today’s audience expects a bit of glamour.’ ‘I know that, sir. I did not have enough resources to add glamour to my show. But now I think that lapse is going to be remedied.’ ‘How?’ ‘I have found a sponsor.’ ‘What! Already?’ ‘Yes. I was about to tell you myself. I don’t think I need worry any more about money—at least, not for the moment.’ ‘May I ask who this sponsor is?’ ‘Excuse me, sir, but he wants to keep his identity a secret.’ ‘But how did it happen? Are you allowed to tell me that?’ ‘Why, yes, by all means, sir. What happened is that a relative of this sponsor saw Nayan on the stage on Sunday, and told him about it. My sponsor rang me the same evening and said he’d like to see Nayan immediately. I told him to come at 10 a.m. the following morning. He arrived right on time, and met Nayan. He then asked him a few questions, which, of course, Nayan answered correctly.

The gentleman stared at him for a few seconds, quite dumbfounded. Then he seemed to pull himself together and gave me a fantastic proposal.’ ‘What was it?’ ‘He said he’d bear all the expenses related to my show. In fact, he’s going to form a company called “Miracles Unlimited”. I am going to perform on behalf of this company, although no one is going to be told who its owner is. I will get all the credit if my shows are successful. My sponsor will keep the profit. Nayan and I will both be paid a monthly salary. The figure