‘No, it’s not Charlotte I’m thinking of. Her case is pretty straightforward. The problem is with the man called John. That particular branch is hidden from sight. But I’ve seen something from the reverse. If I could see it properly, that might throw some light on this matter. Tomorrow morning, perhaps.’

Feluda was talking in riddles again. It was typical of him. I knew he would not explain anything even if I asked him.

The rain had stopped while we were talking. Suddenly, to my surprise, Feluda sprang to his feet.

‘Are you going out?’ I asked.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘What! Where?’

‘I have to be on duty.’

‘Duty?’

‘Yes, I am keeping guard tonight.’

Suddenly I realized Feluda had taken out his hunting boots. Every time I see those boots, I break into goose-pimples as they are linked with each of Feluda’s past adventures. Tonight, if he was planning to visit the cemetery, those boots would make the most suitable footwear.

‘Are you ... are you ... going to the graveyard?’ I asked. My voice croaked a little.

‘Yes, where else?’

‘Are you going alone?’

‘Don’t worry. I’ll take a companion. My repeater.’

Feluda took out his Colt .32 and put it in his pocket. I didn’t like it at all. ‘What do you think is going to happen there? That grave’s been dug up already. If anyone found a watch, they took it away.’

‘No. Whoever tried digging the grave ran away the minute they saw that skull. They were too frightened to carry on. Or else, they wouldn’t have left their spade behind. They’d have either taken it back, or hidden it somewhere.’

Such an idea had simply not occurred to me.

Chapter 10

Heaven knows when Feluda returned home. When I got up the next morning and came downstairs, it was a quarter past seven. Feluda’s door was shut. Perhaps he was still asleep. After all, he hadn’t slept for two nights in a row.

He opened his door at nine. He’d had a shower and shaved. There was not even a trace of tiredness on his face. When he saw me, he simply shook his thumb to indicate that nothing had happened during the night at the cemetery.

Lalmohan Babu arrived at half-past nine. ‘See if you like it!’ he said.

As promised, he had brought his grandfather’s watch. It was a silver watch, attached to a silver chain.

‘It’s beautiful!’ exclaimed Feluda, taking the watch from Lalmohan Babu. ‘At one time, Cooke-Kelvey as watchmakers were quite well known.’

‘But it’s not what you’re after, is it?’ Lalmohan Babu asked, a hint of regret in his voice. ‘This watch was made in Calcutta.’

‘Yes, but do you really want to give it to me?’

‘With my blessings and my compliments. I am older than you by three and a half years, so you shouldn’t object to my blessings!’

‘Thank you.’