The Pearl of Bengal Read Online Free PDF Page B

Miss Agatha.”
    They went through the gate and walked down a white gravel path. Tourists sat at tables around the garden, and Agatha’s eagle eye took them in at a glance: an old gentleman in a linen suit reading the newspaper through pince-nez glasses, a dark-haired young couple conversing intently, and finally a handsome Indian man in ablue satin tunic who sat with a cigar, watching the smoke rings he blew rise up into the air.
    “Three out of these four we know,” whispered Agatha, who had already glanced though the folder of witness statements and photos of suspects.
    “The two Spaniards and Naveen Chandra,” replied Dash, whispering into his cousin’s ear. “But who’s the dapper old gent with the
London Times
?”
    The mysterious figure puzzled them both. Why had Captain Deshpande not mentioned this mustached man who looked so quintessentially British? Was he a local or just passing through as a tourist? He didn’t look like someone who’d come here for wilderness treks.
    “We’ll find out soon enough,” Agatha promised shrewdly as they stepped inside.
    The reception area consisted of a simple counter with a half-filled guest register andseveral posters of tigers on the wall. “I took that beauty’s portrait last fall,” Uncle Rudyard said proudly, pointing to an especially fierce-looking beast.
    “Welcome to the Tiger Hotel, gentlemen, Miss,” a cheerful Indian boy greeted them, bowing with his hands clasped in front of his chest. “How many rooms will you require?”
    “Two double rooms, preferably with mosquito nets and a ceiling fan,” replied Agatha as she bowed back in the same way.
    Uncle Rudyard squirmed. “Not for me, niece,” he said. “I won’t need a hotel room. I always bunk right in my plane!”
    “Awesome, Uncle!” Dash said with a grin. “Is there room for me, too?”
    Agatha gave him a nudge in the ribs. “You need to stay here with me,” she said. “You’re on a case, remember? Besides, you don’t want to be sharing his plane with a water snake.” Dash became quiet.
    She turned back to the receptionist. “Change of plans. Do you have any triples?”
    “Upstairs?” asked Dash.
    The boy passed Chandler the keys to Room 16 and collected their passports. “Take their bags, Parama!” he ordered the girl who’d met them at the gate. She stopped playing with Watson and took off up the stairs like a whirlwind.
    “Perfect,” said Agatha, satisfied. “Now we can go settle in and then…a nice cup of tea!”
    “I have to unload a few things from the plane,” said Uncle Rudyard. “I was wondering if Chandler could give me a hand with some of the heavy equipment.”
    “Of course,” replied Agatha. “We’ll see you at dinner!”
    Rudyard took Chandler’s stiff arm and pulled him outside, thumping him on the back. “Come on, big man! Time to unstiffen the old upper lip—you’re in India now! We’re going to have allsorts of adventures!” they heard him say as the two walked away.
    “What a funny pair!” Agatha giggled. “One never talks and one never shuts up!”
    “They’d make a great comedy act,” Dash agreed.
    They went upstairs to their rooms to freshen up, giving little Parama a tip. She thanked them with a shy nod as Dash checked the corners for scorpions.
    When they returned to the garden for tea, they noticed that the Spaniards and the distinguished gentleman had already left their tables.
    Only Naveen Chandra remained.
    While Dash scarfed down a plateful of cookies, Agatha opened the file and speed-read the famous Bollywood actor’s statement. This was another of her incredible skills. She scanned all eight typed pages in less than a minute. As soon as she finished, she took a sip from asteaming cup of Darjeeling tea and announced, “I’m ready!”
    “Ready for what?” Dash stared at her, his mouth covered in chocolate.
    “I want to question Naveen Chandra and verify his version of events.” Agatha tapped her finger on Deshpande’s file