He arrived on time and they sat down at the table almost immediately. Mma Makutsi said grace before they began, invoking blessings on the stew, the vegetables, the house, the Double Comfort Furniture Store, the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and, at the end of this rather full list, on “our famous guest who has come from so far away but whom we have known as a friend for many years, even if we had never met him.” Phuti reached for his fork, but quickly realised that Mma Makutsi had not yet finished. “And as we sample these good things,” she continued, “we remember those who do not have these good things on their table or do not have a guest to share their meal with them.” Phuti nodded his agreement and reached once more for his fork, but again it was premature. “And may our guest take back to America,” Mma Makutsi went on, “memories of this country that are good. May he remember us when he has gone home, and may he remember too that our door is always open for him if he wants to come back. Amen.”

The amen was taken as a safe enough indication that the grace had come to an end and the meal could begin. Clovis Andersen was delighted with the stew and had three helpings, while Phuti had two, and Mma Makutsi had a single helping—although that was a substantial one.

The conversation flowed easily. Mma Makutsi told Phuti of the events of the day, with certain details being filled in by Clovis Andersen as her narrative unfolded. Then the discussion shifted to talk of Muncie, Indiana, and its charms. Phuti Radiphuti was interested to hear about any woodworking industries in the vicinity and whether they made furniture, and, if so, what that furniture was like. Mma Makutsi was keen to hear details of Clovis Andersen’s cases: Had he ever been to Los Angeles? Had he had any cases in Hollywood? Were there any colleges in the United States that taught both private detection and secretarial skills? For his part, Clovis Andersen wanted to know when the rains would arrive, how long they would last, and how the water table held up during the dry season. He wanted to find out, too, about the old steam trains that he heard used to come down from Bulawayo; also, had all the diamonds been discovered, or was there a good chance that more would be found?

Then, when a brief silence had descended, Mma Makutsi made her suggestion. “Wouldn’t it be a wonderful idea to have an academy, Rra Andersen—to have a school of private detection? We could set it up here, and you could be one of the directors. We could call it …” She turned to Phuti for inspiration.

“How about the Limpopo Academy of Private Detection?”