In chapter 9, the protagonist is ordered to escort an Italian to the Cathedral, and in the tenth and final chapter, set on the evening before the protagonist's 31st birthday, he is stabbed to death.  
In chapter 8 of this novel, Block the tradesman is introduced to the protagonist by Leni.  In chapter 9, the protagonist is ordered to escort an Italian to the Cathedral, and in the tenth and final chapter, set on the evening before the protagonist's 31st birthday, he is stabbed to death.  He has conversations with Frau Grubach and Fraulein Burstner after the opening page in which we learn that "without having done anything wrong he was arrested one fine morning."  FTP, name this novel about Josef K., a work by Franz Kafka.
In chapter 8 of this novel, Block the tradesman is introduced to the protagonist by Leni.  
The Trial