The Raven / The Masque of the Red Death / The Cask of Amontillado | Page 7

the foulness of the air caused
our flambeaux rather to glow than
flame.
At the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another
less spacious. Its walls had
been lined with human remains, piled to the vault overhead, in the fashion of the great
catacombs of Paris. Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner.
From the fourth side the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the
earth, forming at one point a mound of some size. 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 seemed to have been constructed for no especial use
within 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 in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch,
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 uncovered 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 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!"