Cask of Amontillado

But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts."

A draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps."

I reechoed -- I aided -- I surpassed them in volume and in strength.

"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel."

They are encrusted with nitre."

Unsheathing my rapier, I began to grope with it about the recess; but the thought of an instant reassured me.

With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.

I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults.

I struggled with its weight; I placed it partially in its destined position.

In pace requiescat!

In its surface were two iron staples, distant from each other about two feet, horizontally.

"The Amontillado!" ejaculated my friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment.

"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel."

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

I paused again, and this time I made bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the elbow.

We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.

Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.

They are encrusted with nitre."

There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time.

From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.

He had a weak point -- this Fortunato -- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared.

"How long have you had that cough!"

From one of these depended a short chain. from the other a padlock.

I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in.

When at last the clanking subsided , I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier.

He will tell me" --

"Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry."

We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.

He turned towards me and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of intoxication .

When at last the clanking subsided , I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier.

My heart grew sick -- on account of the dampness of the catacombs.

As for Luchesi" --

"He is an ignoramus," interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed immediately at his heels.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavoured to pry into the depths of the recess.

There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells.

A moment more and I had fettered him to the granite.

We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.

Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar.

In its surface were two iron staples, distant from each other about two feet, horizontally.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in.

In an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered .

I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults.

"My friend, no; I will not impose upon your good nature.

"True -- true," I replied; "and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily -- but you should use all proper caution.

"I have my doubts," I replied; "and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

AT LENGTH I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled -- but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk.

The gait of my friend was unsteady, and the bells upon his cap jingled as he strode.

At the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another less spacious.

We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.

I replied to the yells of him who clamoured.

There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells.

He was too much astounded to resist .

In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen , was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere.

We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

From one of these depended a short chain. from the other a padlock.

"Proceed," I said; "herein is the Amontillado.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.

"It is farther on," said I; "but observe the white webwork which gleams from these cavern walls."

"Be it so," I said, replacing the tool beneath the cloak, and again offering him my arm.

Unsheathing my rapier, I began to grope with it about the recess; but the thought of an instant reassured me.

A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back.

The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of the recess.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

He had a weak point -- this Fortunato -- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared.

In this respect I did not differ from him materially; I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.

He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine.

A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser.

I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in.

I said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.

For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian MILLIONAIRES.

Within the wall thus exposed by the displacing of the bones, we perceived a still interior recess, in depth about four feet, in width three, in height six or seven.

Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar.

It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will.

"Come," I said, with decision, we will go back; your health is precious.

But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts."

I said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.

The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones.

He turned towards me and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of intoxication .

It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend.

For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian MILLIONAIRES.

We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.

Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.

I replied to the yells of him who clamoured.

My own fancy grew warm with the Medoc.

When at last the clanking subsided , I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier.

In this respect I did not differ from him materially; I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.

It was succeeded by a sad voice, which I had difficulty in recognising as that of the noble Fortunato.

It was NOT the cry of a drunken man.

But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts."

"It is this," I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire.

Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.

He paused and nodded to me familiarly, while his bells jingled.

How remarkably well you are looking to-day!

A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back.

We came at length to the foot of the descent, and stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors.

I reechoed -- I aided -- I surpassed them in volume and in strength.

It hangs like moss upon the vaults.

Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm.

Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it.

Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar.

I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth tier.

We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.

I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed.

I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth tier.

AT LENGTH I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled -- but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk.

How remarkably well you are looking to-day!

I struggled with its weight; I placed it partially in its destined position.

Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.

Its walls had been lined with human remains piled to the vault overhead , in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris.

I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed.

For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian MILLIONAIRES.

It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavoured to pry into the depths of the recess.

Its walls had been lined with human remains piled to the vault overhead , in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much.

He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation I did not understand.

I paused again, and this time I made bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the elbow.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth tier.

It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation I did not understand.

"Come let us go."

For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian MILLIONAIRES.

It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use in itself, but formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite.

It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend.

A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back.

"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MONTRESOR!"

Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it.

He raised it to his lips with a leer.

There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells.

Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.

He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much.

THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.

Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.

You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as once I was.

When at last the clanking subsided , I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier.

Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit.

"Yes, yes," I said "yes! yes."

I again paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, threw a few feeble rays upon the figure within.

From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.

When at last the clanking subsided , I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier.

The voice said --

"Ha! ha! ha! -- he! he! -- a very good joke indeed -- an excellent jest.

We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.

The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of the recess.

In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen , was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere.

"I have my doubts," I replied; "and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter.

"As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

I had finished a portion of the last and the eleventh; there remained but a single stone to be fitted and plastered in.

The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones.

I said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.

For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.

With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.

You are a man to be missed.

You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain."

For me it is no matter.

In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen , was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere.

When at last the clanking subsided , I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier.

He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much.

"It is this," I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire.

He turned towards me and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of intoxication .

The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of the recess.

I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults.

It hangs like moss upon the vaults.

"The Amontillado!" ejaculated my friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment.

You are a man to be missed.

It was now midnight, and my task was drawing to a close.

I continued as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile NOW was at the thought of his immolation.

I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth tier.

Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.

I broke and reached him a flagon of De Grave.

"It is this," I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire.

As for Luchesi" --

"He is an ignoramus," interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed immediately at his heels.

When at last the clanking subsided , I resumed the trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh tier.

I had scarcely laid the first tier of my masonry when I discovered that the intoxication of Fortunato had in a great measure worn off.

As for Luchesi" --

"He is an ignoramus," interrupted my friend, as he stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed immediately at his heels.

Withdrawing the key I stepped back from the recess.

Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.

A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back.

I continued as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile NOW was at the thought of his immolation.

It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will.

If any one has a critical turn, it is he.

In this respect I did not differ from him materially; I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.

I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed.

A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser.

Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit.

You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as once I was.

In an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered .

You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.

I had told them that I should not return until the morning and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house.

These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance , one and all, as soon as my back was turned.

"I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us."

I placed my hand upon the solid fabric of the catacombs , and felt satisfied.

It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use in itself, but formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite.

It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

I had scarcely laid the first tier of my masonry when I discovered that the intoxication of Fortunato had in a great measure worn off.

Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar.

From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.

We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo -- he! he! he! -- over our wine -- he! he! he!"

The man wore motley.

"Come let us go."

I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults.

Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.

The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones.

He again took my arm and we proceeded.

A succession of loud and shrill screams, bursting suddenly from the throat of the chained form, seemed to thrust me violently back.

Within the wall thus exposed by the displacing of the bones, we perceived a still interior recess, in depth about four feet, in width three, in height six or seven.

"It is farther on," said I; "but observe the white webwork which gleams from these cavern walls."

My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minutes.

Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm.

"True -- true," I replied; "and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily -- but you should use all proper caution.

AT LENGTH I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled -- but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk.

The wall was now nearly upon a level with my breast.

It is not the engagement, but the severe cold with which I perceive you are afflicted .

We came at length to the foot of the descent, and stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors.

You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.

As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones of which I have before spoken.

It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use in itself, but formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite.

I continued as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile NOW was at the thought of his immolation.

Your cough" --

"It is nothing" he said; "let us go on.

He had a weak point -- this Fortunato -- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared.

It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

"I have my doubts," I replied; "and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter.

"It is nothing," he said, at last.

Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.

It was succeeded by a sad voice, which I had difficulty in recognising as that of the noble Fortunato.

Besides, there is Luchesi" --

"Enough," he said; "the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me.

Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit.

Come, we will go back ere it is too late.

You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.

I said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.

"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel."

In an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered .

My heart grew sick -- on account of the dampness of the catacombs.

From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.

"And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own."

"You jest," he exclaimed, recoiling a few paces.

Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.

AT LENGTH I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled -- but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk.

The cold is merely nothing.

As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones of which I have before spoken.

From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.

THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.

I called aloud --

"Fortunato!"

You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain."

I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed.

Its walls had been lined with human remains piled to the vault overhead , in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris.

Once more let me IMPLORE you to return.

There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time.

Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm.

He emptied it at a breath.

I again paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, threw a few feeble rays upon the figure within.

I was so pleased to see him, that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand.

It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will.

He will tell me" --

"Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry."

He was too much astounded to resist .

My own fancy grew warm with the Medoc.

He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.

In this respect I did not differ from him materially; I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.

I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up.

You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain."

"It is nothing," he said, at last.

We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible.

There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time.

It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend.

His eyes flashed with a fierce light.

THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.

I must not only punish, but punish with impunity.

"A sign," he said.

"Be it so," I said, replacing the tool beneath the cloak, and again offering him my arm.

I had scarcely laid the first tier of my masonry when I discovered that the intoxication of Fortunato had in a great measure worn off.

THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.

Let us be gone."

How remarkably well you are looking to-day!

I looked at him in surprise.

I broke and reached him a flagon of De Grave.

It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use in itself, but formed merely the interval between two of the colossal supports of the roof of the catacombs, and was backed by one of their circumscribing walls of solid granite.

Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner.

Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.

The noise lasted for several minutes, during which, that I might hearken to it with the more satisfaction, I ceased my labours and sat down upon the bones.

Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm.

I broke and reached him a flagon of De Grave.

Will not they be awaiting us at the palazzo, the Lady Fortunato and the rest?

Throwing them aside, I soon uncovered a quantity of building stone and mortar.

It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

Throwing the links about his waist, it was but the work of a few seconds to secure it.