He only knew, by the medium of instinct, that through it he could strike a blow at the uncle who had excluded him from his just inheritance--at the crazy scheme by which he had been defrauded of his due.
With hasty steps he mounted the stairs and re-entered the bedroom.

To his agitated mind it seemed but just that, whatever his vengeance, it should be accomplished in the grim, unconscious presence of the dead man.
Stepping into the room, he paused and looked about him, seeking some suggestion.

As he stood there, his eyes, by a natural process of inspiration, fell upon the fire that glowed and crackled in the grate; and with a sharp, inarticulate sound of satisfaction he strode forward to the hearth, knelt down, and prepared for his work of destruction.
[Illustration: "HE ...

GATHERED THE FIRST SHEAF OF LEAVES INTO HIS FINGERS"] As he crouched over the flames a fresh gale swept inland from the sea, seizing the house in its fierce embrace; and the red tongues of fire leaped up the chimney in the instant answer of element to element.
Instinctively he bent forward, opened the book and gathered the first sheaf of leaves into his fingers.

Then, involuntarily, he paused, as the bold characters of the printed words shot up black and clear in the fierce glow.
Almost without volition he read the opening lines: "Out of obscurity will He come.