DANGER IN DARJEELING [ᴘᴀʀᴛ 𝟸]

Tinkori Babu leant towards his neighbour. "We'd better not talk about this in public,' he whispered.

"Let's go home."

The two gentlemen left.

Feluda remained silent for a while after I had finished my story. Then he frowned and said, You mean you think we need to investigate?"

'Why, didn't you tell me you were looking for a mystery? And you said you had read so many detective novels that you could work as a sleuth yourself!'

'Yes, that's true. I could prove it, too. I didn't go to the Mall today, did I? But I could tell you which side you sat on.'

'All right, which side was i?"

"You chose a bench on the right side of the Radha restaurant, didn't you?"

"That's terrific. How did you guess?"

"The sun came out this evening. Your left cheek looks sunburnt but the right one is all right. This could happen only if you sat on that side of the Mall. That's the bit that catches the evening sunshine."

'Incredible!'

'Yes. Anyway, I think we should go and visit Mr Rajen Majumdar.'

___

'Another seventy-seven steps.'

'And what if it's not?'

"It has to be, Feluda. I counted the last time.

"Remember you'll get knocked on the head if you're wrong.

'OK, but not too hard. A sharp knock may damage my brain.' To my amazement, seventy-seven steps later, we were still at some distance from Rajen Babu's gate. Another twenty-three brought us right up to it.

Feluda hit my head lightly, and asked, 'Did you count the steps on your way back?"

'Yes.'

'That explains it. You went down the hill on your way back, you idiot. You must have taken very big steps.'

"Well ... yes, maybe."

'I'm sure you did. You see, young people always tend to take big, long steps when going downhill. Older people have to be more cautious, so they take smaller, measured steps.'

We went in through the gate. Feluda pressed the calling bell. Someone in the distance was listening to a radio.

'Have you decided what you're going to say to him?' I asked.

"That's my business. You, my dear, will keep your mouth shut."

"Even if they ask me something.? You mean I shouldn't even make a reply?"

''Shut up.''

A Nepali servant opened the door. 'Andar aaiye,' he said.

We stepped into the living room. Made of wood, the house hada lovely old charm. All the furniture in the room was made of cane. The walls were covered with strange masks, most showing large teeth and wearing rather unpleasant expressions. Some of them frightened me. Apart from these, the room was full of old weapons- shields and swords and daggers. Beside these hung pictures of the Buddha, painted on cloth. Heaven knew how old they were, but the golden colour that had been used had not faded at all.

We took two cane chairs. Feluda rose briefly to inspect the walls. Then he came back and said, 'All the nails are new. So Rajen Babu's passion for antiques must have developed only recently.'

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