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The Mystery of the Four Fingers by Fred M. (Frederick Merrick) White
page 91 of 278 (32%)
parcel. She cut the string and opened the flat packet, disclosing a small
object in tissue paper inside. This she handed to Fenwick, who tore the
paper off leisurely. Then the silence of the room was startled by the
sound of an oath uttered in tones of intense fury.

"Curse the thing!" Fenwick cried. His yellow face was wet and ghastly
now. The big purple veins stood out like cords on his forehead. "Am I
never to be free from the terror of this mystery? Where did it come from?
How could it be possible when the very man I have most reason to dread is
no longer in a position--"

The speaker broke off suddenly, as if conscious that he was betraying
himself. The little object in the tissue paper lay on the table in such a
position that it was impossible for Venner or Gurdon to see what it was,
but they could give a pretty shrewd guess. Venn or looked inquiringly at
his friend.

"Well, what do you suppose it is?" he asked.

"Personally, I have no doubt whatever as to what it is," Gurdon said. "I
am as sure as if I held the thing in my hand at the present moment. It
is the second finger which at some time or another was attached to
Fenwick's hand."

"You've got it," Venner said. "Upon my word, the farther we go with this
thing the more complicated it becomes. No sooner do we clear up one point
than a dozen fresh ones arrive. Now, is not this amazing? We know
perfectly well that the man whom we have to call Bates has been kidnapped
by our interesting friend opposite, and yet here the second warning
arrives just as if Bates were still free to carry out his vengeance. What
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