surprised if we manage to get to the last chapter yet. Now, you are an
observant man--did you notice anything peculiar in Fenwick's appearance
to-night?"

Gurdon shook his head slowly. It was quite evident that he had not
noticed anything out of the common in the appearance of the millionaire.
Venner proceeded to explain.

"Let me tell you this," he said. "When I married my wife, we were within
an easy ride of the locality where the Four Finger Mine is situated. Mind
you, our marriage was a secret one, and I presume that Fenwick is still
in ignorance of it, though, of course, he was fully aware of the fact
that I had more than a passing admiration for Vera. I merely mention this
by way of accentuating the little point that I am going to make. It is
more than probable that, when I stumbled upon Fenwick and the girl who
passes for his daughter, he also was in search of the Four Finger Mine.
When he came in to-night he, of course, recognised me, though I treated
him as an absolute stranger whom I had met for the first time. You will
see presently why I treated him in this fashion. I am glad I spoke to
him, because I noticed a slight thing that throws a flood of light upon
the mystery. Now, did it escape your observation, or did you notice that
Fenwick took the box I gave him in his right hand?"

"Oh, dear, no," Gurdon said. "A little thing like that would be almost
too trivial for the typical detective of the cheap story."

"All the same, it is very important," Venner said. "He took the box in
his right hand; he made as if to extend his left, then suddenly changed
his mind, and put it in his pocket. But he was too late to disguise from
me that he had--"