"I know," Gurdon shouted. "He had lost all the fingers on his left
hand. What an amazing thing! We must get to the bottom of this business
at all costs."

"That is precisely what we are going to do," Venner said grimly. "I am
glad you are so quick in taking up the point. When I noted the loss of
those fingers, I was absolutely staggered for a moment. If he had been
less agitated than he was, Fenwick would have guessed what I had seen. I
need not tell you that when I last saw Fenwick his left hand was as sound
as yours or mine. The inference of this is, that Fenwick has fallen under
the ban of the same strange vengeance that overtook Van Fort and his
wife. There is not the slightest doubt that he discovered the mine, and
that he has not yet paid the penalty for his temerity."

"I presume the penalty is coming," Gurdon said. "What a creepy sort of
idea it is, that terrible vengeance reaching across a continent in such a
sinister fashion. But don't forget that we know something as to the way
in which this thing is to be brought about. Don't forget the cripple who
sat at yonder table to-night."

"I am not likely to forget him," Venner observed. "All the more because
he evidently knows more about this matter than we do ourselves. When he
came here to-night, he little dreamed that there was one man in the
room, at least, who had a fairly good knowledge of the Four Finger
Mystery. We shall have to look him out, and, if necessary, force him to
speak. But it is a delicate matter, and as far as I can see, one not
unattended with danger."

Gurdon smoked in thoughtful silence for some little time, turning the