The Mystery of the Four Fingers

"The Mystery of the Four Fingers" by Fred M. White is a mystery novel written in the early 20th century. The story begins in a luxurious London hotel, where the American millionaire Mark Fenwick is shrouded in intrigue and an ominous atmosphere. The narrative introduces two central characters, Jim Gurdon and Gerald Venner, who are drawn into the unfolding mysteries surrounding Fenwick and a fascinating, crippled stranger, as they uncover elements of revenge, hidden pasts, and the enigma of the titular Four Finger Mine. At the start of the novel, the Great Empire Hotel buzzes with speculative excitement as guests await the arrival of Mark Fenwick, a character veiled in mystery. Among the diners, Gurdon and Venner engage in casual conversation, only for their attention to be captivated by the unexpected presence of a visibly tormented and mysterious man. The tension escalates when Venner recognizes Fenwick, leading to surprising revelations about connections from their past. These early chapters set the stage for a gripping tale filled with intrigue, set against a backdrop of suspenseful encounters in the hotel dining room, hinting at dark secrets tied to the elusive Four Finger Mine. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Fred Merrick White (1859–1935) wrote a number of novels and short stories under the name "Fred M. White" including the six "Doom of London" science-fiction stories, in which various catastrophes beset London. These include The Four Days' Night (1903), in which London is beset by a massive killer smog; The Dust of Death (1903), in which diphtheria infects the city, spreading from refuse tips and sewers; and The Four White Days (1903), in which a sudden and deep winter paralyses the city under snow and ice. These six stories all first appeared in Pearson's Magazine, and were illustrated by Warwick Goble. He was also a pioneer of the spy story, and in 2003, his series The Romance of the Secret Service Fund was edited by Douglas G. Greene and published by Battered Silicon Dispatch Box.