[X] Learned or not, you are just as baffled by this as Mr. Gladwell. Send him ahead to calm the workers while you try to find some books or other sources in London that might have an explanation for the hand.
[X] While you have no explanation either, you have some favours you could call in from the Royal London Hospital. Maybe the surgeons can tell you more about the hand while Mr. Gladwell tries to keep order at the mine.
[X] This is indeed a strange thing, but if it has been ongoing for two months, you can spare a few days to read your codex. Send Mr. Gladwell to calm the workers and keep the shaft closed until you have time for this. Maybe you will find something relevant in the old compendium.
[X] There are a lot of unknown dangers in mines and you will not become hysteric over this. Send Mr. Gladwell back to Willerton and let him re-open the shaft. The miners just need to be more careful.