Part 7, All Those Dreadful Little Cuts: Chapters 1-7 Summary

In chapter one, Pendergast visits the Mount Mercy Hospital for the Criminal Insane. Pendergast's aunt, Cornelia, is imprisoned there and Pendergast wants to ask her a few questions. Most of Pendergast's questions revolve around his great-grand uncle Antoine Leng Pendergast, a relative who was fascinated with science and black magic. Antoine left New Orleans and moved to New York sometime before 1870 and was never heard from within the family again. Pendergast then asked his Aunt Cornelia what he should do with a formula that could prolong life. Aunt Cornelia warns him to destroy it or else it would destroy humanity.

In chapter two, Custer has another epiphany as he watches his men search the archives and listens to Brisbane's objections. Custer asks to speak to Brisbane in his office...