'The ground landlord, Mr.
John Bellingham; is not he the gentleman who disappeared so mysteriously some time ago ?' "'So I understand,' Dr.Brandon replied.
"'Can you tell me if Mr.Bellingham had lost the third finger of his left hand ?' "'I cannot say,' said Dr.Brandon; and he added with a smile, 'you had better ask the police.' "That is how the matter stands at present.

But we understand that the police are making active inquiries for any missing man who has lost the third finger of his left hand, and if any of our readers know of such a person, they are earnestly requested to communicate at once, either with us or with the authorities.
"Also we believe that a systematic search is to be made for further remains." I laid the newspaper down and fell into a train of reflection.

It was certainly a most mysterious affair.

The thought that had evidently come to the reporter's mind stole naturally into mine.

Could these remains be those of John Bellingham?
It was obviously possible, though I could not but see that the fact of the bones having been found on his land, while it undoubtedly furnished the suggestion, did not in any way add to its probability.