The Complete Adventures of Feluda: Volume I by Satyajit Ray Read Free Book Online Page B

wouldn’t risk breaking through heavy security. After all, big money isn’t his game, is it? I suspect if he could lay his hands on five hundred rupees, it would keep him going for six months. So I’m not surprised that they broke into your house, and not your neighbour’s.’
    Dr Srivastava continued to look doubtful. ‘I really don’t know, Mr Sanyal,’ he said. ‘I feel convinced they were after that ring. They opened a cupboard in the room next to mine. All its drawers were pulled out. There were other valuable things and enough time to grab them. Yet, when I woke suddenly, they ran away without taking a single thing. I find that odd. Besides—’
    Srivastava stopped abruptly, frowning. After a few moments of silence, he said, ‘When Pyarelal gave me that ring, I got the impression that he was just trying to get rid of it. For some reason he didn’t want to keep it in his house any longer. And—’
    He stopped again and frowned once more.
    ‘And what, Dr Srivastava?’ asked Dhiru Kaka.
    Srivastava sighed. ‘I went to see him after his second attack. He tried to tell me something, but couldn’t. But I heard one thing clearly.’
    ‘What was that?’
    ‘He said it twice—“a spy. . . a spy. . .”’
    Dhiru Kaka rose from the sofa.
    ‘No, Doctor,’ he said, ‘it doesn’t matter what Pyarelal said. I am convinced it was just an ordinary thief. Perhaps you haven’t heard, but the barrister Bhudeb Mitra’s house was recently burgled, too. They got away with a radio and some silver. But if you’re feeling nervous about keeping the ring in your house, please feel free to leave it with me. I shall put it in my Godrej almirah and it’ll be quite safe. You can collect it when you get over your nervousness.’
    Srivastava looked visibly relieved. His lips spread in a smile. ‘That is exactly what I came here to propose, but couldn’t bring myself to say it. Thank you very much, Mr Sanyal. I shall feel a lot easier in my mind if you keep the ring.’
    He took the ring out of his pocket and handed it to Dhiru Kaka, who went straight into his bedroom with it.
    At this point, Feluda opened his mouth. ‘Who is Bonobihari
    Babu?’ he asked.
    ‘Pardon?’ Dr Srivastava was still slightly preoccupied.
    ‘Didn’t you just say that houses where you live were safe from burglars because of one Bonobihari Babu? Who is he? Someone in the police?’
    Srivastava laughed, ‘Oh, no, no. He has nothing to do with the police—but he gives us a special protection that’s even better than what the police could give. He’s quite an interesting character. His ancestors were zamindars in Bengal. When they lost their land, Bonobihari Babu went into business. He began exporting animals.’
    ‘Animals?’ Baba and Feluda spoke together.
    ‘Yes. Animals from here are often needed in Europe, America or Australia for their zoos, circuses and television. Many Indians are in this business. Bonobihari Babu made a lot of money, I believe. Heretired about three years ago and came to Lucknow, together with some of his animals. He bought a house not far from mine and turned it into a zoo.’
    ‘How very strange!’ Baba exclaimed.
    ‘Yes. What is special about this zoo is that all its animals are very . . . very . . . how shall I put it . . .’
    ‘Vicious?’
    ‘Yes, yes. That’s it. Most vicious.’
    I had heard that Lucknow already had a very good zoo. Animals were kept out in the open there, on a man-made island. But what was this about a private zoo?
    Srivastava continued, ‘He has a wild cat. And a hyena, an alligator and a scorpion. You can hear some of these animals even from a distance. Thieves don’t dare come our way!’
    Feluda now asked the question that was trembling on my lips. ‘Is it possible to see this zoo?’
    Dhiru Kaka returned at this moment and said, ‘That’s simple. We can go any time. Bonobihari Babu is a most amiable man, not vicious at all!’
    Srivastava rose to take his leave. ‘I must go