W e, that is Byomkesh and I, Ajit, could not ignore any longer the repeated requests of Kumar Tridib to visit his estate. So one cold December morning we left Calcutta for a break of seven or eight days. Our intention was to relax completely for those days, and return bright and fresh for work again, to Calcutta.

There was no dearth of hospitality. We spent the first day just snacking every hour and chatting non-stop with Kumar Tridib. The main topic of our discussion was, of course, Kumar Tridib's uncle, Sir Digindra, mentioned in the story — Hidden Heirloom.

After dinner, Tridib ushered us to our bedroom and said, "We will go out early tomorrow morning for hunting. I have made all the arrangements."

Byomkesh asked enthusiastically, "What kind of game do you find?"

Tridib said, 'Not tigers but rabbits, wild boar, deer, peacocks, wild ducks — there is a large jungle at the border of my estate. The jungle belongs to Himangshu Roy — the zaminder of the adjoining estate called Chorabali, quicksand. Himangshu is a good friend of mine. I informed him this morning about our visit, and also asked his permission to hunt in his area. I hope you don't mind?'

We both said together, "Mind?"

Byomkesh added, "Only there are no tigers — that's disappointing."

Tridib said, "I can't say there are no tigers. Every year one or two tigers do visit this area, but don't depend on it. Besides, even if a tiger is available, my friend Himangshu will bag it — he won't allow us to hunt it." He began laughing. "He has no time to look after his estate — he is so addicted to hunting. He spends most of his time either in the room where he keeps his guns, — or he is roaming around in the forest. He is crazy about hunting. His aim is also remarkable. He can shoot a tiger standing on the ground."

Byomkesh said curiously, "What did you say was the name of the estate — Chorabali'? Strange name!"

"Yes, we have heard that there is a patch of quick sand somewhere in the jungle. But no one knows where exactly it is. That is why this strange name was given," he looked at his watch and said, "You'd better go to bed — or you'll not be able to get up early." He smothered a yawn and left.

We were given one large room with two beds. We snuggled under comfortable, soft and warm quilts, and prepared for a good night's sleep.

Soon we were fast asleep. Suddenly I found myself drowning in quicksand. Byomkesh was standing at the edge of the quicksand, watching me and laughing. Soon I was neck-deep in sand, and was gradually getting suffocated. For a moment I got the taste of a terrible death. I woke up sweating profusely — the quilt had covered my nose — hence the feeling of suffocation! I sat up on my bed for