Old Mundin picks up his narrative, explaining that he saw a walking stick he knew was his father’s in the Montreal shop where he once worked. He immediately sought out Olivier, the seller, and moved to Three Pines, taking furniture-restoration work. Gabri defends his partner, saying he is incapable of murder. Old Mundin gently agrees, explaining that while he remained curious about where the artifacts came from, he also fell in love with his wife and started a family, leaving vengeance behind. The quest only resumed the night he discovered the cabin. He explains that he knew his father had not died by accident or suicide, as all of his most precious artifacts had disappeared along with him. He assumed that only murder could have separated him from his family, and he believed the trove in the cabin belonged to the murderer.

He left the “Woo” carving, his first wood project, outside the cabin to lure the Hermit out. He hoped his father’s killer would recognize his childhood nickname—he could not pronounce “wood” and said “Woo,” which only his father remembered (455-56). He hoped seeing this on the carving would frighten the Hermit.