DANGER IN DARJEELING [ᴘᴀʀᴛ 𝟹]

Rajen Babu came into the room. Feluda sprang to his feet and said, 'Do you remember me? I am

Joykrishna Mitter's son, Felu.'

Rajen Babu looked a little taken aback at first. Then his face broke into a smile.

"Felu? Of course remember you. My word, you have become a young man! How is everyone at home? Is your father here?"

As Feluda answered these questions, I sat trying to hide my astonishment. How unfair the whole thing was-why hadn't Feluda told me that he knew Rajen Babu?

It turned out that Rajen Babu had worked in Calcutta for many years as a lawyer. He had once helped Feluda's father fight a case. He had come to Darjeeling and settled here ten years ago, soon after his retirement. a lozenge a week ago had slipped his mind completely.

Feluda introduced me to him. He showed no sign of recognition. Perhaps the matter of offering me a lozenge a week ago had slipped his mind completely.

'You're fond of antiques, I see,' said Feluda conversationally.

'Yes. It's turned almost into an obsession.'

''How long-?"

'Over the last six months. But I've managed to collect quite a lot of things.'

Feluda cleared his throat. Then he told Rajen Babu what he had heard from me, and ended by saying, "I still remember how you had helped my father. If I could do anything in return.."

Rajen Babu looked both pleased and relieved. But before he could say anything, Tinkori Babu walked into the room. From the way he was breathing, it appeared that he had just come back after his evening walk. Rajen Babu made the introductions.

'Tinkori Babu happens to be a neighbour of

Gyanesh, a friend of mine. When this friend heard that I was going to let one of my rooms, he suggested that I give it to Tinkori Babu. He would have gone to a hotel otherwise.'

Tinkori Babu laughed. "I did hesitate to take up his offer, I must admit; chiefly because of my special weakness for cheroots. You see, Rajen Babu might well have objected to the smell. So I wrote to him first to let him know. He said he didn't mind, so here I am.'

'Are you here simply for a change of air?"

'Yes, but the air, I've noticed, isn't as cool and fresh as one might have expected.'

'Are you fond of music?" asked Feluda unexpectedly.

"Yes, but how did you guess?"' Tinkori Babu gave a startled smile.

'Well, I noticed your finger', Feluda explained. "You were beating it on top of your walking-stick, in keeping with the rhythm of that song from the radio.'

'You're quite right,' Rajen Babu laughed, 'he sings Shyamasangeet.'

Feluda changed the subject. "Do you have the letter here?" he asked.

"Oh yes. Right next to my heart,' said Rajen Babu and took it out of the inside pocket of his jacket.

Feluda spread it out.

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