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endeavoured to pry into the depth of the recess。 Its termination
the feeble light did not enable us to see。
〃Proceed；〃 I said； 〃herein is the Amontillado。 As for
Luchesi〃
〃He is an ignoramus；〃 interrupted my friend； as he stepped
unsteadily forward； while I followed immediately at his heels。 In
an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche； and finding
his progress arrested by the rock； stood stupidly bewildered。 A
moment more and I had fettered him to the granite。 In its surface
were two iron staples； distant from each other about two feet；
horizontally。 From one of these depended a short chain； from the
other a padlock。 Throwing the links about his waist； it was but
the work of a few seconds to secure it。 He was too much astounded
to resist。 Withdrawing the key I stepped back from the recess。
〃Pass your hand；〃 I said； 〃over the wall； you cannot help
feeling the nitre。 Indeed； it is very damp。 Once more let me
implore you to return。 No？ Then I must positively leave you。
But I must first render you all the little attentions in my power。〃
〃The Amontillado！〃 ejaculated my friend； not yet recovered
from his astonishment。
〃True；〃 I replied； 〃the Amontillado。〃
As I said these words I busied myself among the pile of bones
of which I have before spoken。 Throwing them aside； I soon un…
covered a quantity of building stone and mortar。 With these
materials and with the aid of my trowel； I began vigorously to wall
up the entrance of the niche。
I had scarcely laid the first tier of the masonry when I discovered
that the intoxication of Fortunato had in a great measure worn off。
The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from
the depth of the recess。 It was not the cry of a drunken man。
There was then a long and obstinate silence。 I laid the second
tier； and the third； and the fourth； and then I heard the furious
vibrations of the chain。 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。
When at last the clanking subsided； I resumed the trowel； and
finished without interruption the fifth； the sixth； and the seventh
tier。 The wall was now nearly upon a level with my breast。 I
again paused； and holding the flambeaux over the mason…work； threw
a few feeble rays upon the figure within。
A succession of loud and shrill screams； bursting suddenly
from the throat of the chained form； seemed to thrust me violently
back。 For a brief moment I hesitated I trembled。 Unsheathing my
rapier； I began to grope with it about the recess； but the thought
of an instant reassured me。 I placed my hand upon the solid fabric
of the catacombs； and felt satisfied。 I reapproached the wall； I
replied to the yells of him who clamoured。 I re…echoed I aided
I surpassed them in volume and in strength。 I did this； and the
clamourer grew still。
It was now midnight； and my task was drawing to a close。 I
had completed the eighth； the ninth； and the tenth tier。 I had
finished a portion of the last and the eleventh； there remained but
a single stone to be fitted and plastered in。 I struggled with its
weight； I placed it partially in its destined position。 But now
there came from out the niche a low laugh that erected the hairs
upon my head。 It was succeeded by a sad voice； which I had
difficulty in recognizing as that of the noble Fortunato。 The
voice said
〃Ha！ ha！ ha！he！ he！ he！a very good joke indeedan
excellent jest。 We shall have many a rich laugh about it at the
palazzohe！ he！ he！over our winehe！ he！ he！〃
〃The Amontillado！〃 I said。
〃He！ he！ he！he！ he！ he！yes； the Amontillado。 But is it
not getting late？ Will not they be awaiting us at the palazzo； the
Lady Fortunato and the rest？ Let us be gone。〃
〃Yes；〃 I said； 〃let us be gone。〃
〃 For the love of God； Montresor！〃
〃Yes；〃 I said； 〃for the love of God！〃
But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply。 I grew impatient。
I called aloud
〃Fortunato！〃
No answer。 I called again
〃Fortunato〃
No answer still。 I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture
and let it fall within。 There came forth in reply only a jingling
of the bells。 My heart grew sick on account of the dampness of
the catacombs。 I hastened to make an end of my labour。 I forced
the last stone into its position； I plastered it up。 Against the
new masonry I re…erected the old rampart of bones。 For the half
of a century no mortal has disturbed them。 In pace requiescat！
End