The Complete Adventures of Feluda: Volume II (58 page)

Feluda shook me awake the next morning. I sat up quickly.

‘What is it, Feluda?’

He looked grim. ‘Mr Biswas rang me just now. Shakuntala’s necklace has been stolen.’

‘Oh my God!’

‘Get ready as quickly as you can. I’ll go and tell Lalmohan Babu. We must go back there after breakfast. I believe everyone except Mr Sukius has already arrived after they heard the news.’

‘Haven’t the police been informed?’

‘Yes, but they want me as well.’

We reached Mr Biswas’s house by half past eight. The cheerful atmosphere of the night before was replaced today by a sombre silence.

‘I can’t help feeling I am responsible,’ Feluda said. ‘That necklace was taken out yesterday only because I asked to see it. It may well have nothing to do with the theft, but I thought I ought to tell you how awful I feel.’

The police had already appeared. The inspector in charge greeted Feluda with an outstretched arm. ‘Mr Pradosh Mitter?’ he said, shaking hands, ‘I have heard of you. I am Inspector Pandey.’

‘Pleased to meet you, sir.’

‘I assume you’d like to make your own enquiries?’

‘Yes, but only after you’ve finished.’

‘Thank you.’

Inspector Pandey began asking questions. It was gradually revealed that when the last guest had left after midnight, Mrs Biswas retired to her bedroom and suddenly felt like looking at the necklace once more. As she confessed herself, ‘It is probably only my vanity that made me want to open the chest and look at the necklace. I had just watched my mother wear it on the screen and it looked lovely on her. So I thought I’d put it round my own neck and see how I looked. But . . . but when I took out the key from my dressing table drawer and opened the chest, I couldn’t find it anywhere. I called my daughter immediately and asked her if she had put it back. She was absolutely sure that she had. It had always been kept in that chest. Where else could she have put it, anyway?’

‘You had a dinner party last night, didn’t you?’ the inspector asked.

‘Yes,’ Mrs Biswas replied.

‘When did it start and how long did it continue?’

‘It went from a quarter to eight to midnight.’

‘Mrs Biswas, did you go straight to your room after the party was over?’

‘Yes.’

‘And how long was it before you discovered the necklace was missing?’

‘About fifteen minutes.’

‘You didn’t leave your room during that period?’

‘No.’

‘That means it was stolen during the party.’

‘So it seems,’ Mr Biswas remarked. ‘When my daughter brought the necklace out to show it to Mr Mitter, the party was in full swing.’

‘After that, Miss Biswas, did you put the necklace back where you had found it? Did you go back to your mother’s room straightaway?’

‘Of course!’ Mary Sheela said firmly. ‘I didn’t waste even a second.’

‘Perhaps I ought to mention, Inspector, that soon after the necklace was taken away, all the lights in the living room were switched off to screen a film. The room remained dark for ten minutes.’

‘How many servants do you have?’

‘Three. A cook and two bearers.’

‘How long have you had them?’

‘Fifteen years or more. Suleman, the old bearer, has been with us since the time of my father-in-law,’ Mrs Biswas said.

‘Then there is only one conclusion to be drawn,’ Inspector Pandey declared. ‘If you think your servants are all above suspicion, the necklace was taken by one of those present at the party. I am sorry, Mr Biswas, but every reason points that way.’

I—and possibly Feluda and Lalmohan Babu—could only agree with him. Inspector Pandey now turned to Feluda.

‘Mr Mitter, who are your companions?’

‘Sorry, I should have introduced them before. This is my cousin, Tapesh; and that’s my friend, Lalmohan Ganguli. He is a well-known writer.’

‘How long have you known him?’

‘More than five years.’

I looked at Lalmohan Babu. He had turned pale. For a moment, I tried to picture him as a thief. Even at this critical moment, I nearly laughed out loud.

Fortunately, the inspector changed the subject. ‘How many people live in this house?’ he asked.

‘Apart from my wife and myself, my two children and Mr Som, the artist.’

Mr Som was present in the room with all the others. His stubble was heavier today which made him look even more haggard.

‘What about the others?’ Inspector Pandey went on.

‘Mr Saldanha and his wife live in Clive Road. Mrs Saldanha and my wife are sisters.’

‘I can see one more gentleman.’

‘Yes, he is my wife’s brother, Ratanlal Banerjee.’

‘Was there anyone else at the party?’

‘Only one other person. In fact, he had not been invited, but he happened to drop by. It was Mr Sukius. He arrived while the film was being shown. I saw him only when the lights came on.’

‘What does Mr Sukius do?’

‘He is a collector of antiques and art objects. He is also a professional moneylender.’

‘Did he ever show an interest in that necklace?’

‘Yes. He wanted to buy it, but I refused to sell.’

‘I see.’

Inspector Pandey was silent for a few moments. Then he said, ‘I think we are agreed that one of the guests at dinner removed the necklace. The question is: where has it gone?’

Mr Biswas cleared his throat. ‘If you wish to search us and the house, please feel free to do so.’

‘Yes, I’m afraid I am going to have to do that. I’ve arranged a couple of women police officers to search the women. The house will have to be thoroughly searched.’

No one raised any objection. Only Mr Saldanha said, ‘I have to go and open my shop at ten o’clock. I’d be grateful if you could search me first and allow me to leave before ten.’

Feluda was silent all this while. Now he said, ‘I am going to go back to the hotel. If you find the necklace, Mr Biswas, please let me know. If you don’t, I will come back this evening.’

We returned to our hotel. Lalmohan Babu joined us in our room. ‘Can you remember how many times this has happened before? I mean, this business of going on a holiday and getting mixed up in a mystery? Telepathy, that’s what it must be!’ he observed.

‘All right then, Lalmohan Babu, let me test your memory,’ Feluda laughed. ‘I have tested Topshe often enough, but not you.’

‘Very well sir, I am ready.’

‘Let me ask you something about Shakuntala Devi’s family.’

‘All right.’

‘What are the names of her three children?’

‘The elder daughter is called Susheela.’

‘Yes, but there’s a Christian name before that.’

‘Oh yes. The Christian name . . . ah . . .’

‘Topshe, do you remember?’

Luckily, I did. ‘Margaret,’ I said.

‘Good. What is Mrs Biswas called, Lalmohan Babu?’

‘Pamela Suneela.’

‘Right. Her brother?’

‘Ratanlal. Albert Ratanlal Banerjee.’

‘Fine. Now tell me the names of the Biswas children.’

‘Mary Sheela and Prasenjit. I can’t remember his Christian name.’

‘Victor. Margaret Susheela came with her husband. What’s he called?’

‘Samuel Saldanha.’

‘Very good. Who else was there?’

‘That artist fellow. What’s his name, now? . . .’

Topshe?’

‘Som. Sudarshan Som.’

‘Well done.’

‘Don’t mind my saying this, Felu Babu, but I didn’t like that man.’

‘Why not?’

‘He looked weird, as if he was really quite mad. Hadn’t shaved for days, his clothes hadn’t been washed probably for weeks! . . .’

‘Artists don’t always keep themselves spruced up. They don’t often live by social norms.’

‘Perhaps, but in my view he and one other person are the prime suspects.’

‘Who is this other person?’

‘Victor Prasenjit Biswas. Looks like a hippie, a good-for-nothing. But I noticed he wasn’t drinking.’

‘Perhaps that was because his father was present.’

‘Could be. Anyway, there was someone else present at the party.’

‘You mean Mr Sukius?’

‘Correct. He wanted to buy the necklace, didn’t he?’

‘He is an art collector. Any art collector would want to buy something so beautiful. That is to say, he’d want to buy if he had sufficient resources. If he didn’t, he might try to get it through unfair means. We know nothing about Sukius or his financial status. Let’s not waste any more time in idle speculation. We’re free until Mr Biswas rings us in the evening. What about a trip to Kaizer Bagh?’

‘Excellent idea, Felu Babu. If getting involved in a case meant going back without seeing all the important sights of Lucknow, I’d be very disappointed.’

Jayant Biswas rang us later, as promised. The police had been meticulous in their search, but the necklace had not been found. They had even questioned the servants, to no avail.

‘I’ll come over, Mr Biswas,’ Feluda told him. ‘Now I’ll start my own investigation. It won’t clash with what the police are doing, I assure you.’

We took a taxi from the hotel, crossed the Gomti bridge and reached Mr Biswas’s house. It still wore a rather forlorn air.

Suleman opened the door once more and showed us into the living room. Mr Biswas was seated on a sofa. He rose as we entered the room.

‘They couldn’t find it,’ he said, shaking his head sadly.

‘That’s hardly surprising. A clever thief like that would never leave it lying about, would he?’

‘Would you like to search the house yourself?’

‘No, no. I only want to speak to everyone in your family. Who is at home right now?’

‘My wife, my daughter and Mr Som. I don’t think my son is back yet.’

‘I see. I also need to talk to Mr Saldanha and Mr Sukius.’

‘That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll give you their addresses.’

‘Very well. Let me start with you.’

‘Go ahead. You wouldn’t mind a cup of tea, would you?’

‘No, that would be very nice, thank you.’ Suleman was told to get four cups of tea. Feluda lit a Charminar and began his questions.

‘You told the police Mr Sukius had wanted to buy that necklace. How long ago was that?’

‘About a year ago.’

‘How did he learn about the necklace?’

‘Lots of people know about it. It’s been written about more than once. When my mother-in-law died, the
Pioneer
published a short biography which mentioned the necklace. Sukius is really a moneylender. I mean, that’s how he’s made his money. Normally, one doesn’t associate a moneylender with anything as refined as art and aesthetics. But Sukius is different. I have been to his house. He has exquisite taste.’

‘How did he react when you refused to sell the necklace?’

‘He was naturally very disappointed. He had offered two hundred
thousand. I might have agreed, but my wife wouldn’t dream of parting with it. And now, the very same . . .’ he left his sentence unfinished and sighed.

‘Do you suspect anyone?’

‘No. I still feel perfectly amazed. I cannot believe one of my old and trusted servants did it. Yet, who else would have stolen it? Why would they do such a thing?’

‘You are a businessman, aren’t you?’

‘Well yes, I have a small firm. We handle exports and imports.’

‘How well are you doing?’

‘Not bad, Mr Mitter. I have a partner. We run the firm together.’

‘What’s he called?’

‘Tribhuvan Nagar. We began our careers as clerks in a merchant firm. Thirty years ago, we gave that up and formed our own company.’

‘What’s the name of your company?

‘Modern Imports & Exports.’

‘Where is your office?’

‘Hazratganj.’

Suleman came back with the tea. We helped ourselves.

‘I have one more question,’ said Feluda.

‘Yes?’

‘While the film was being shown yesterday, did you see anyone move or go out of the room?’

‘No.’

‘Does your son work anywhere?’

‘No. I tried to get him to join me, but he refused.’

‘How old is he?’

‘Twenty-five.’

‘What’s he interested in?’

‘God knows.’

‘Thank you, Mr Biswas. May I now speak to your wife?’

‘Certainly. But she’s very distressed, you understand.’

‘I promise I won’t take long.’

Mr Biswas went inside to fetch his wife. We had finished our tea by this time. When Suneela Biswas arrived, she looked as if she had spent a long time crying. Despite that, the resemblances she bore to her mother seemed more pronounced today. She said in a low voice:

‘You wished to ask some questions, I believe?’

‘Yes, only a few. I won’t keep you long.’

‘Very well.’

‘When your mother gave you her famous necklace instead of your elder sister, how did your sister react?’

‘She had guessed what my mother was going to do.’

‘How?’

‘She was my father’s pet, I was mother’s. She gave me that necklace three years before she died. My sister and I never spoke about it, so really I couldn’t tell you how she reacted.’

‘Are you and your sister close to each other?’

‘Yes. We’re getting closer as we’re growing older. When we were young, there was a feeling of rivalry between us.’

‘You were fond of acting, weren’t you?

‘Yes. That’s why my mother was so proud of me. Susheela—my sister—was never interested in acting.’

‘What about your daughter?’

‘She’s taken part in plays in school and her college. Then she received a few offers from film producers, but did not accept.’

‘What does she want to do?’

‘Go into journalism. She’s already started writing. She wants to be independent and have a career of her own.’

‘Do you suspect anyone of having stolen your necklace?’

‘No. I cannot help you at all, I am afraid.’

‘Did you see anyone leave their seat during the film show last night?’

‘No. I thought everyone was totally engrossed in the film.’

‘Thank you Mrs Biswas, no more questions for you.’

Suneela Biswas said goodbye and went inside.

Feluda turned to Mr Biswas once more.

‘I’d like to see Mr Som, if I may.’

‘Sure.’

Mr Biswas disappeared inside and sent Mr Som. Mr Som had shaved this morning, which made him look slightly less unsavoury. He sat on the small sofa opposite Feluda and lit a cheroot. I had seen him smoking a cheroot last night too. A pungent smell filled the room.

‘How long have you lived in this house?’ Feluda began.

‘About fifteen years. Shakuntala Devi herself had brought me here.’

‘Didn’t you mind having to depend on someone’s charity?’

‘I had very little choice in the matter, Mr Mitter. I had already
crossed fifty. Arthritis affected my right thumb so badly that I could no longer paint. I had no money. If Shakuntala Devi hadn’t given me a home, I’d have starved out there in the streets. Of course I didn’t like having to depend on anyone. But Shakuntala and her family were very kind, and then young Prasenjit and Sheela also seem to be very fond of me. So now I don’t mind so much. I have got used to the idea.’

‘Don’t you have an income at all?’

‘Not really. Some of my old paintings sell occasionally, at very low prices. That brings me virtually nothing. I manage on the allowance Mr Biswas pays me every month. I have a room, and I eat with the family. Cheroots are the only luxury I allow myself, although I have cut down on them.’

‘Do you suspect anyone regarding the missing necklace?’

Mr Som remained silent for a few seconds. Then he said, ‘I don’t suspect any of the servants.’

‘Is there anyone else?’

Mr Som fell silent again. ‘Look,’ Feluda urged, ‘if you don’t tell me exactly what you think, it makes my job that much more difficult. You do want the necklace to be recovered, don’t you?’

‘Of course.’

‘Well then?’

‘There is someone I am not sure of.’

‘Who?’

‘Prasenjit.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘He has changed such a lot. He doesn’t speak properly with anyone in the family, not even me. Perhaps he’s fallen into bad company. Perhaps he’s into drugs, or gambling . . . or something else for which he needs money. I know he hasn’t got a job, and the money he gets from his father is never enough. Sometimes he comes to
me
to borrow money, he’s that desperate. I’ve tried talking to him, to make him see reason, but I have failed.’

‘I see. Did you see anyone move or walk away when the film was being shown yesterday?’

‘No. My eyes never left the screen.’

‘All right, Mr Som. That’s all for now. Thank you very much, and could you please send Mary Sheela?’

Mr Som left in search of Sheela. She arrived in a few minutes. Dressed in a salwar-kameez, and devoid of jewellery, she looked the
perfect modern young woman.

‘What were you doing, Sheela?’ Feluda asked her when she was seated.

‘I was writing an article.’

‘For a magazine?’

‘Yes, on how to decorate a room.’

‘Oh? Are you interested in interior decoration?’

‘Yes. I would like to become a decorator one day.’

‘Have you had any training?’

‘No, no formal training; but I have read quite a lot on the subject.’

‘Can you draw?’

‘A little. I learnt a few things from Uncle Sudarshan. He used to encourage me a lot when I was a child.’

‘How do you get on with your brother?’

‘I don’t. Not any more. He hardly ever speaks to me. Yet, once we were very close.’

‘Do you mind? Does this change in him upset you?’

‘It used to. Now I’ve grown accustomed to it.’

‘You did put the necklace back in its usual place, didn’t you?’

‘Yes, of course! And I replaced the keys.’

‘Do you have any idea how it disappeared?’

Sheela smiled, ‘No, how should I? You’re the detective!’

‘Yes, but a detective has to ask question to get at the truth. You know that, don’t you?’

‘Yes.’

The bell rang before Feluda could speak again. Suleman opened the door and let Prasenjit in. He seemed slightly taken aback to see us, but recovered quickly.

‘Detection in progress?’ he sneered.

‘I was simply asking your sister a few questions. I’m glad you’re back because I’d like to do the same with you. Do you mind?’

‘Yes, I do. The police tried to question me, too. I didn’t answer any of their stupid questions.’

‘But I am not the police.’

‘That makes no difference. I am not going to open my mouth.’

‘Then you will automatically become a suspect.’

‘I don’t care. Suspicion alone isn’t enough to send anyone to prison, is it? Where’s the evidence? You have to find the necklace before you can say it’s in my possession!’

‘Very well, Prasenjit. If you’re not prepared to cooperate, there’s
nothing we can do. We cannot force you to talk to us.’

Feluda rose. Lalmohan Babu and I followed suit.

‘Before I go,’ he said to Sheela, ‘May I please see the layout of your house?’

‘Certainly.’

Sheela took us inside. There was a dining room behind the living room. This was followed by Mr and Mrs Biswas’s bedroom, which had an attached bathroom. Connecting doors in their bedroom led to a room on either side, which belonged to Sheela and Prasenjit. These also had attached bathrooms. Mr Som’s room was next to Prasenjit’s.

We returned to the living room.

‘I am going to visit you soon with my autograph book,’ Sheela said.

‘You’d be most welcome,’ Feluda replied. ‘But please give me a call before you come. If you simply turned up at the hotel, I might not be in. By the way, could I please see your father again?’

Sheela went and called her father.

‘Have you finished?’ Mr Biswas asked.

‘Yes, more or less. Your son didn’t allow any questions, unfortunately.’

Mr Biswas shook his head regretfully. ‘I am sorry about that, Mr Mitter. Prasenjit is like that . . . I have almost given up on him.’

‘Never mind. I wanted to see you about something else. Do you think Mr Saldanha will be at his shop?’

‘Yes, I should think so. It’s only half past five.’

‘Could you give me his telephone number please, and tell me where his shop is?’

Mr Biswas tore a page off a small pad lying next to the telephone and quickly wrote down the shop’s address and phone number.

‘May I ring him from here?’ Feluda asked.

‘Yes, of course.’

Mr Saldanha himself answered the phone and told Feluda to go there straightaway.

‘There are two other people I have to see,’ Feluda said to Mr Biswas. ‘Your brother-in-law, Ratanlal and Mr Sukius. I think I’ll save the latter until tomorrow.’

‘Ratanlal lives in Frazer Road. Let me give you his address as well. The best time to get him is after seven o’clock.’