第8章 The Cask of Amontillado(3)

"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, itwas 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 isvery damp.Once more let meimplore you to return.No?Then I must positively leave you.But I must first renderyou 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 didthis, 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 indeed--an excellent jest.We shall 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, 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!