Ghurghutiar Ghotona

Kalikinkar Majumdar, an old man from Ghurghutia village near Palashi, invites Feluda to his house to solve a mysterious puzzle. Feluda, after some consideration, accepts the challenge, intrigued by the possibility of uncovering a hidden secret. This invitation sets the stage for the events that will follow at the rural house.

Feluda and his cousin Tapesh (Topshe) travel toward Palashi, making their way to Ghurghutia. Upon arrival, they meet the house's driver who escorts them through rural landscapes to Kalikinkar's secluded home. The journey establishes the quiet, remote setting where the mystery begins.

The duo reaches Kalikinkar’s house, located amidst a large garden far from urban lighting. The house is dark due to the absence of electricity, illuminated only by lanterns. They meet Kalikinkar, a bedridden 73-year-old man, who seems weak and confined due to his health.

Kalikinkar calls his servant Gokul to bring his pet parrot, which speaks a riddle: 'Trinayan, hey Trinayan, take some rest.' Kalikinkar tasks Feluda with solving this puzzle, promising four rare Émile Gaboriau books as a reward if successful. This riddle holds the key to opening an iron chest in the house.

Feluda and Topshe meet Rajenbabu, who manages Kalikinkar’s business affairs but is now mainly buying books for him. Later, they also meet Kalikinkar's son, Biswanath, who mentions he only stays briefly due to his busy business schedule. These interactions introduce potential motives and connections.

Feluda deduces the meaning of the parrot's riddle as a code: '39-0-39 8-2-0,' using an old British technique from the colonial era. This provides the combination needed to open the iron chest, bringing them closer to understanding the house’s secrets.

The next day, after breakfast, Feluda and Topshe inform Kalikinkar of the decoded answer and retrieve the four books of Gaboriau. They learn that Biswanath left early, but Feluda’s instincts make him suspicious. They decide to investigate further after noticing Biswanath’s departure might be a false lead.

At the station, Feluda suspects something is amiss and enlists police help to return to Ghurghutiya. They discover Biswanath’s car in the house, indicating he has not left as he claimed, and find Kalikinkar missing. The house’s iron chest is open and empty, with Gokul sobbing, hinting at a deeper secret.

It is revealed that Kalikinkar was murdered by Biswanath during a heated argument. Biswanath, with Gokul's help, disposed of Kalikinkar’s body in the lake and assumed his identity as part of an elaborate impersonation. These revelations expose the deceptions and true motives behind the events.

Biswanath, a failed actor, had impersonated Kalikinkar, Rajenbabu, and himself to gain access to the house and its wealth. He orchestrated the entire scheme, including killing Kalikinkar to steal his gold, which was hidden in the iron chest. His acting skills enabled him to maintain multiple identities.

Biswanath is arrested after police catch him in the act. Feluda interprets the entire sequence of events, uncovering the deception behind the house’s quiet exterior. The case is solved as the true culprit is brought to justice, revealing his motives and method.

Feluda returns the four Gaboriau books to the bookshelf, refusing to take anything from Kalikinkar’s collection since the owner is deceased. The parrot continues to silently repeat the riddle to itself, symbolizing the lingering mystery and the cleverness involved in solving it. The story concludes with a sense of justice and completion.