Cleggett, looking at the spot indicated, saw upon the edge of this singular fracture in the earth a thing that sent a quick chill of horror and repulsion to his heart.

It was a dead hand, roughly severed between the wrist and the elbow.

The back of it was uppermost; the fingers were clenched.

Cleggett set down his lantern beside it and turned it over with his foot.
The dead fingers clutched a scrap of something yellow.

On one of them was a large and peculiar ring.
"My God!" murmured Lady Agatha, grasping Cleggett convulsively by the shoulder, "that is the Earl of Claiborne's signet ring!" But Cleggett scarcely realized what she had said, until she repeated her words.