Answer:
The Sergeant Major who gave Mr. White and his wife the talisman warned them about previous owners who befell bad fates. The first man in possession of the talisman wished for death, though the Sergeant did not say exactly if it came true or not. However, he advised them to throw the paw into an open fire and get rid of it. On page 171, he states he threw it into the fire and that if the couple decides to keep the paw, to not blame him for what may happen.
Step-by-step explanation: