The Tell-Tale Heart

Above all was the sense of hearing acute.

A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.

It was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe.

At length it ceased.

And this I did for seven long nights, every night just at midnight, but I found the eye always closed, and so it was impossible to do the work, for it was not the old man who vexed me but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night.

I fairly chuckled at the idea, and perhaps he heard me, for he moved on the bed suddenly as if startled.

It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain, but, once conceived, it haunted me day and night.

When I had waited a long time very patiently without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little -- a very, very little crevice in the lantern.

To think that there I was opening the door little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts.

Anything was more tolerable than this derision!

I then replaced the boards so cleverly so cunningly, that no human eye -- not even his -- could have detected anything wrong.

So I opened it -- you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily -- until at length a single dim ray like the thread of the spider shot out from the crevice and fell upon the vulture eye.

I shrieked, "dissemble no more!

The ringing became more distinct : I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definitiveness -- until, at length, I found that the noise was NOT within my ears.

ALL IN VAIN, because Death in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him and enveloped the victim.

You fancy me mad.

In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.

A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.

It was open, wide, wide open, and I grew furious as I gazed upon it.

I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased.

And this I did for seven long nights, every night just at midnight, but I found the eye always closed, and so it was impossible to do the work, for it was not the old man who vexed me but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night.

I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer!

I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye.

Presently, I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror.

A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.

You should have seen how wisely I proceeded -- with what caution -- with what foresight, with what dissimulation, I went to work!

So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed , to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept.

I foamed -- I raved -- I swore!

But even yet I refrained and kept still.

In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.

When I had waited a long time very patiently without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little -- a very, very little crevice in the lantern.

ALL IN VAIN, because Death in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him and enveloped the victim.

It was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe.

It increased my fury as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.

There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police.

And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern all closed, closed so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head.

Yes he has been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions ; but he had found all in vain.

Yes he has been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions ; but he had found all in vain.

And this I did for seven long nights, every night just at midnight, but I found the eye always closed, and so it was impossible to do the work, for it was not the old man who vexed me but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night.

The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence.

I had been too wary for that.