K.K.!' he shrieked, and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'What is it, uncle ?' I cried.
"'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his room, leaving me palpitating with horror.

I took up the envelope and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the gum, the letter K three times repeated.

There was nothing else save the five dried pips.

What could be the reason of his overpowering terror?
I left the breakfast-table, and as I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small brass box, like a cashbox, in the other.
"'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' said he with an oath.

'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to step up to the room.