CHATURBHUJ-2 -4. Clue From A Waste Bin

Right at the center of the main hall was a beautiful ornate chandelier with crystal prisms containing candles that provided the source of illumination in darkness. To the right side of the entrance was a portrait of the artist himself. Perimal had splashes of his greatness in every aspect of the drawing that depicted his smiling face as if he was giving a warm welcome to his guests. His curly hairs, broad forehead, thin eyebrows, deep-set eyes, fleshy nose, thin lips and prominent chin were depicted in the greatest dept and detail. Chaturbhuj stood before the portrait for a few moments remembering the great artist with a lump in his throat. Shaking his head ruefully at the tragic turn of events, he began with his mission of searching for any clue that might lead him to Perimal’s killer. The main hall was his focal point of investigation for it was the place of crime.

To the left of the entrance was a wooden case, which Sakaram had mentioned in his narrative, that contained clay items of deities. Chaturbhuj observed the spot where Perimal’s body was found just at the end of the wooden case. The next few minutes were spent searching the room thoroughly where he could not find any fallen material. He, thereby, decided to search the other two rooms of the house.  When he came to the room that had the wooden cupboard at the corner, he opened the window and looked down. The window was indeed not placed at a great height from the ground. For the next few minutes, the minister scanned every nook and corner of that room and another one adjacent to it – which had several of Perimal’s paintings on display – but found nothing worth arousing his interest. Finally, he entered the kitchen and there his eyes fell upon a waste bin that was not empty. He observed some pieces of paper in it.   He was lost in thought for some moments and then removed them and kept in the green bag that he had brought along. He also found an overgrown nail inside which he carefully removed and again put it inside the bag. Thereby, he came out of the house locked it and kept both the green and yellow bags in the chariot. He, then took along the ladder and went to the other side of the house where Sakaram had entered in through the open window. He attached three of the ladders and placed it near the window. Just as the thief had pointed out, this was enough to reach the window comfortably. Chaturbhuj returned and put the detached ladders inside the gunny bag. He, thereby, visited some of the residences near Permals’s house and then decided to return to his house.

On the way back, he was lost in deep thought. After he had reached his residence, Chaturbhuj quickly came inside and spent a long time trying to piece together the torn papers which he had located in the waste bin. Finally, after much effort he succeeded in his effort. There were two drawings that had emerged after joining the pieces of paper and the minister was very impressed with one of the art. He called the guard on vigil outside and asked him to summon before him someone. The guard bowed before him and set out on his mission. Soon, a lanky young man with a bald head came and greeted Chaturbhuj. “Welcome, Baali! Do you see these drawings that I have spread on the floor?”

Baali looked at them keenly and nodded his head. “I want you to stick them together. You are an expert in this work and thus I want to seek your services.”

Baali immediately set out with his task. He took out a bottle of gum and a small wooden stick from a bag and started sticking the pieces of paper which Chaturbhuj had joined together. He used the wooden stick to absorb any gum that would otherwise have spilled over the drawing. Chaturbhuj stood a silent spectator and watched in admiration as Baali went about with his work displaying great dexterity. In the next hour, Baali was finished with his work. The drawings appeared almost in their original shape as if they were never torn and stuck together! Baali asked the minister to let them dry for a few hours. Chaturbhuj agreed and rewarded him with money. Baali thanked him effusively and took his leave. Chaturbhuj spent a long time in deliberation. After the drawings had dried, he picked them up carefully and took them to the King.

Sukhdeva was also very impressed with one of the drawings. He could not take his eyes off it for a long time! It was of a woman draped in a dark red saree having gold peacock motifs with green borders. The woman had long flowing hairs, well carved raised eyebrows, big eyes which were wide open, straight-edged nose, well-shaped thin lips which was slightly parted, deep chin and was of a fair complexion. She had kept her right hand on the arm as if to stop her pallu from falling off. A couple of her hairs were shown touching her forehead.

The second drawing was only half-complete. It depicted a clear sky with birds flying and a half-drawn mountain as if the artist was trying to portray nature.

Chaturbhuj informed the King about the outcome of his visit to Perimal’s house. “…Sometimes, Maharaj, we tend to get some lead from the unlikeliest of quarters. It was such an intention that I took along the items found in the waste bin. With great difficulty, I managed to join the pieces and stuck them together with the help of Baali. The drawing of the lady is so complete and awesome! His ability to precisely portray through his sketches what he has in his mind has been his greatest asset and made him a class apart in his profession. I do believe that this is one of his best works. Thus, why would he tear off this drawing? From what I know of him, he respects his talent and would never destroy a complete work like this piece of art! The second drawing is incomplete and could well be that it did not come out the way he had anticipated. Thus, he may have torn it off to start all over again. Thus, if it was not him then it has to be someone else who would have torn the drawing of the lady!”   The King looked at Chaturbhuj keenly trying to grasp what he was getting at.