(continued)

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 recognising as that of the noble Fortunato.  The voice said—

"Ha!  ha!  ha!—he!  he!  he!—a very good joke, indeed—an excellent jest.  We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo—he!  he!  he!—over our wine—he!  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, Montressor!"

"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 return only a jingling of the bells.  My heart grew sick;  it was the dampness of the catacombs that made it so.  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!

The End

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