my uncle's handwriting. The back of the card was covered
with strange characters in red ink. I tore the card as
directed and handed him the right half.

He held it up to the light and examined it carefully, then
put it away in a pocket of his waistcoat. The look of pain
returned to his face, and he coughed feebly as if suffering
from a severe cold. The hour being late I intimated by
pantomime that I desired him to occupy my bed. He understood
me readily enough and began feebly to remove his clothing,
while I prepared a sofa for myself. He was soon sound
asleep, but I lay awake long after the light was
extinguished. He was evidently quite ill, and I determined
to go for a physician at the first appearance of daylight.
As soon as possible I would go with him to my uncle. There
were no ties to detain me, and it was clearly my duty to do
so. Perhaps my uncle was in some great peril. If so, I might
be of service to him.

When I arose in the morning my strange lodger seemed to be
sleeping quietly. His face looked pale and ghastly in the
light of day. I stepped close to his bed and, laying my hand
upon his brow, was horrified to discover that he was dead.
What was I to do? I sat down to think, trembling with
fright. I must call in a policeman and tell him all I knew
about my strange visitor. No, not all; I must not tell him
about the letter, thought I. My uncle might not wish it to
be published to the world. I ran out upon the street and
told the first officer I met how the old man had rapped at
my door during the storm; how I had given him my bed out of