Issue 2 · Case 2 · 12 August 2026
Bombay wireless desk · 1968 · Farid Contractor
The Fort Map Tube
A survey map reached a 1968 archive without its sealing tube.
REPORT: Fort, 1968. An archive received a survey map folded into a delivery packet. The protective tube listed on its receipt was missing. The archivist has kept the packaging for inspection: creasing could make the fine survey lines harder to read. Four people took part in the transfer, and the office is checking their duties before acknowledging the delivery. The archive delivery sheet bears the signature of the person carrying the Tube cap beside the entry for the removed map tube. Identify the person who carried the Tube cap and the place they visited.
Reading room sorts its index cards by hand
The Colaba citizens’ room has moved its reference cards into fresh trays, leaving a quiet table for anyone checking the evening bulletin.
Catalogue desk traced to the Index tray record
Whoever carried the Index tray visited the Catalogue desk.
Sea wind delays the morning umbrella parade
Commuters arriving by the harbour side found a brisk shower at the platform edge, though the late-morning service settled once the clouds lifted.
Mala Fernandes's handling record names two items
Only the Delivery chit or the Scale rule could have been the item Mala Fernandes carried.
Apprentice learns the patient art of splicing tape
A junior sound-room assistant completed a careful spool-repair exercise using blank rehearsal stock, earning a handwritten note from the station engineer.
Loading bay traced to the Delivery chit record
Whoever carried the Delivery chit visited the Loading bay.
CLASSIFIED
Map tubes sealed with office wax
Fort Survey Supply has cardboard tubes, brass caps, and labels that stay readable even when the courier does not.
Request hour saves room for a young tabla player
A small studio orchestra has reserved one measured interlude for a neighbourhood tabla pupil, recorded with a ribbon microphone after the spoken announcements.
Mala Fernandes ruled out from the Scale rule entry
Mala Fernandes did not carry the Scale rule.
Visitors to sign the rehearsal-room book
Anyone collecting sheet music is asked to enter a name and time in the green book at reception, keeping the narrow passage clear during broadcasts.
Map room traced to the Tube cap record
In the archive delivery file, the carrier of the Tube cap visited the Map room.
CLASSIFIED
Copper Kettle Irani Café offers a quiet corner
Copper Kettle Irani Café serves brun pav, khari biscuits and chai in thick cups for readers waiting out a shower. The counter keeps change in a tin, not in coat pockets.
Vilas Mehta's handling record names two items
Only the Scale rule or the Index tray could have been the item Vilas Mehta carried.
Matunga annual-day booklet returned with its music cue
A slim school booklet came back through the post with a pencilled harmonium cue inside, a small acknowledgement of an earlier Bombay school desk.
Zeenat Khan's handling record names two items
Zeenat Khan carried one of two items: the Delivery chit or the Scale rule.
Deduction board
Confirming a pair rules out the other cells in its row and column.
Blank → ○ possible → × ruled out → ✓ matched.
Swipe to compare. Match each icon to the key below.
| 1Zeenat Khan | 2Vilas Mehta | 3Mala Fernandes | 4Rohit Banerjee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Index tray | ||||
| 2Tube cap | ||||
| 3Scale rule | ||||
| 4Delivery chit |
| 1Zeenat Khan | 2Vilas Mehta | 3Mala Fernandes | 4Rohit Banerjee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Loading bay | ||||
| 2Catalogue desk | ||||
| 3Stair landing | ||||
| 4Map room |
| 1Index tray | 2Tube cap | 3Scale rule | 4Delivery chit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Loading bay | ||||
| 2Catalogue desk | ||||
| 3Stair landing | ||||
| 4Map room |
File your accusation
Reading your saved case…
Icon key
| 1Sus 1 | Zeenat Khan |
|---|---|
| 2Sus 2 | Vilas Mehta |
| 3Sus 3 | Mala Fernandes |
| 4Sus 4 | Rohit Banerjee |
| 1Imp 1 | Index tray |
|---|---|
| 2Imp 2 | Tube cap |
| 3Imp 3 | Scale rule |
| 4Imp 4 | Delivery chit |
| 1Loc 1 | Loading bay |
|---|---|
| 2Loc 2 | Catalogue desk |
| 3Loc 3 | Stair landing |
| 4Loc 4 | Map room |