What proof does the devil give Tom that what he said was true? What does his wife tell him that convinces Tom that "all he had herd and seen was no illusion?
The devil imprints a fingerprint in Tom's forehead, which cannot be erased.
When Tom reached home he found the black print of a finger burned, as it were, into his forehead, which nothing could obliterate.
Tom is convinced that all he heard was true after his wife informs him of Absalom Crowninshield's death.
The first news his wife had to tell him was the sudden death of Absalom Crowninshield, the rich buccaneer. It was announced in the papers, with the usual flourish, that "A great man had fallen in Israel." Tom recollected the tree which his black friend had just hewn down, and which was ready for burning. "Let the freebooter roast," said Tom; "who cares!" He now felt convinced that all he had heard and seen was no illusion.
The Devil and Tom Walker
