Feluda did not go to bed until late that night. Lalmohan Babu and I stayed up with him until eleven, talking about Torit Sengupta’s death. None of us could figure out why a young and obviously intelligent man like him had to die such an awful and mysterious death. Even Feluda could not find answers to a lot of questions. He made a list of these: 1. Who, apart from Mr Sengupta, had gone to the forest that night? Was it the murderer? Was it the person who had stolen the sword? Or was it a third person? Who could have a small but powerful torch? 2. We had all heard Mahitosh Sinha-Roy having an argument with someone the same night. Who was he speaking to? 3. Devtosh Babu was about to tell us something concerning the peepul tree and his brother, when the latter interrupted him. What was he going to say? 4. Why did Devtosh Babu mention Yudhisthir’s chariot, more than once? Was it simply the raving of a madman, or did it have any significance? 5. Why does Shashanka Sanyal speak so little? Was he quiet and reserved by nature, or was there a specific reason behind his silence? Lalmohan Babu heard him read out this list, then said, ‘Look, Felu Babu, there’s one man who continues to make me feel uneasy. Yes, I am talking of Devtosh Babu. He spoke quite normally a few hours ago, but at other times he isn’t normal, is he? What if he came upon someone accidentally in the forest, and decided it was Kalapahar, or Raju as he calls him? He might attack this person, mightn’t he?’ Feluda stared at Lalmohan Babu for a few seconds before speaking. ‘Working with me has clearly improved both your imagination and powers of observation,’ he remarked. ‘Yes, I agree Devtosh Babu is certainly physically capable of striking someone with a sword. But consider this: whoever took that sword knew Mr Sengupta had gone to the forest. So he deliberately took the weapon, followed him—don’t forget it was a stormy night—found him, and then killed him. Could a madman have thought all this out and acted upon it, especially when it meant finding his way in the dark in inclement weather, then holding the torch in one hand and using the sword with the other? No, I don’t think so. What is essential now is a return visit to the forest, and seeing if we can pick up a clue. There’s no point in speculating here. The only thing I am sure of is that Mr Sengupta had gone into the forest to look for the hidden treasure. Perhaps he wanted to collect it and take it back to Calcutta. But what still doesn’t make sense is why he was so sorely tempted in the first place. He was living here very comfortably, and was clearly very well paid. Did you see his clothes and toiletries? Everything was expensive and of good quality. Even the cigarettes he smoked were imported.’

Lalmohan Babu shook his head, and declared he was now ready for bed. I fell asleep soon after this, but Feluda stayed awake for a long time. I woke to find the sky overcast once again, and Feluda dressed and ready. Then we heard the sound of a jeep arriving, and a servant came up to say we were wanted in the drawing room. Inspector Biswas was waiting for us. ‘Are you happy now?’ he asked Feluda. ‘Why should I be happy?’ ‘You found a mystery, didn’t you? The murderer took the weapon from this house and finished his victim with it. Isn’t that great news?’ ‘It is true that a sword is missing. But surely you are not assuming that the same sword was used to kill Mr Sengupta, just because it is no longer here?’ ‘No, I am not assuming anything at all. But what about you? Didn’t the thought cross your mind?’ Both men were speaking politely, but it was obvious that a silent undercurrent of rivalry was flowing between them. This was quite unnecessary. I felt cross with the inspector. It was he who had started it. Feluda lit a cigarette and spoke quietly, ‘I haven’t yet reached any conclusion. And if you think I am happy about any aspect of this case, you are quite wrong. Murder never makes me happy, particularly when it is the murder of a young and clever man.’ ‘A clever man?’ Mr Biswas jeered openly. ‘Why should a clever man leave the comforts of his room and go walking in a dark forest in the middle of the night? What’s so clever about that? Can you find a satisfactory answer to this question. Mr Mitter?’ ‘Yes, I can.’ All the three men present in the room, apart from ourselves, seemed to stiffen at Feluda’s words. ‘There was a very good reason for Mr Sengupta’s visit to the forest that night,’ Feluda said clearly, looking at Mahitosh Babu. ‘I have worked out the meaning of the puzzle you showed me. But Torit Sengupta had done the same, long before me. That tiger skin should really have gone to him. It is my belief that he was in the forest looking for the treasure.’ Mahitosh Babu opened his mouth to speak, but could not find any words. His eyes nearly popped out. Feluda hurriedly explained about the puzzle and how he had discovered its meaning. But Mahitosh Babu continued to look perplexed. ‘The tree of the toothless fakir?’ he said, surprised. ‘Why, I have never heard of it!’ ‘Really? But your brother told us you used to go for picnics with your grandfather when you were both small. He said you sat under that tree? . . .’ ‘My brother?’ Mahitosh Babu said a little scornfully, ‘Do you realize how much fact there is in what my brother says, and how much of it is fiction? Don’t forget he isn’t normal.’ Feluda could not say anything