Howland had watched his companion closely and was satisfied that he knew nothing of Croisset or the girl.
The fact puzzled him more than ever.

How Gregson and Thorne, two of the best engineers in the country, could voluntarily surrender a task like the building of the Hudson Bay Railroad simply because they were "tired of the country" was more than he could understand.
It was not until they were about to leave the table that Howland's eyes accidentally fell on Gregson's left hand.

He gave an exclamation of astonishment when he saw that the little finger was missing.

Gregson jerked the hand to his side.
"A little accident," he explained.

"You'll meet 'em up here, Howland." Before he could move, the young engineer had caught his arm and was looking closely at the hand.
"A curious wound," he remarked, without looking up.