by Edgar Allan Poe

THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could ; but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge You, who know the nature soul, will not suppose, however, that utterance to threat avenged ; point definitively settled - but the very definitiveness resolved, precluded the idea of risk punish, but punish with impunity wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser equally unredressed avenger fails himself felt as such to him who the wrong

It understood, that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will I continued, as was my wont, to smile face, and perceive that my smile now was thought immolation

He had weak point - this Fortunato - although in other regards man respected and even feared He prided himself connoisseurship in wine Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity - to practise imposture British and Austrian millionaires In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen , was quack - but matter of old wines sincere respect differ materially : skilful Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever

about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness carnival season, that I encountered my friend He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he drinking much The man wore motley He had on tight-fitting parti-striped dress, head was surmounted conical cap and bells so pleased him, that never wringing his hand

to him - "My dear Fortunato, luckily met How remarkably well looking to-day ! But received pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and my doubts "

"How ? " said he "Amontillado ? pipe ? Impossible ! And middle carnival ! "

" my doubts," I replied ; "and silly enough the full Amontillado price without consulting you matter You found, and fearful of losing bargain "

"Amontillado ! "

" my doubts "

"Amontillado ! "

"And satisfy them "

"Amontillado ! "

" engaged, on my way to Luchesi If has critical turn, he tell me --"

"Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry "

"And yet some fools it that his taste is match for your own "

"Come, go "

"Whither ? "

"To your vaults "

"My friend, no ; impose upon your good nature I perceive an engagement Luchesi --"

" no engagement ; - come "

"My friend, no the engagement, but the severe cold I perceive afflicted The vaults are insufferably damp encrusted with nitre "

" go, nevertheless The cold is merely nothing Amontillado ! imposed upon And as for Luchesi, distinguish Sherry from Amontillado "

Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself arm Putting on mask of black silk, and drawing roquelaire closely person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo

There were no attendants at home ; they had absconded merry in honor time I had told them that I return until the morning, and had given them explicit orders not to stir house These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance, one and all, my back was turned

from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato, bowed him through several suites of rooms archway that led vaults I passed down long and winding staircase, requesting him cautious as he followed We came foot descent, and stood together damp ground catacombs Montresors

The gait friend was unsteady, bells upon his cap jingled as he strode

"The pipe," said he

" farther on," said I ; "but observe the white web-work which gleams cavern walls "

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

"Nitre ? " he asked,

"Nitre," I replied "How long had that cough ? "

"Ugh ! ugh ! ugh ! - ugh ! ugh ! ugh ! - ugh ! ugh ! ugh ! - ugh ! ugh ! ugh ! - ugh ! ugh ! ugh ! "

My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minutes

" nothing," , at last

"Come," , with decision, " go back ; your health is precious rich, respected, admired, beloved ; happy, as once man missed no matter go back ; ill, and responsible Besides, Luchesi --"

"Enough," ; "the cough is mere nothing; kill me die of cough "

"True - true," I replied ; "and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily - but use all proper caution draught Medoc will defend us damps "

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

"Drink," , presenting him the wine

He raised it lips with leer He paused and nodded familiarly, while his bells jingled

"I drink," , " buried that repose around us "

"And I to your long life "

He again took my arm, and we proceeded

"These vaults," , "are extensive "

"The Montresors," I replied, "were great and numerous family "

"I forget your arms "

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

" motto ? "

"_Nemo me impune lacessit "

"Good ! "

The wine sparkled eyes bells jingled My own fancy grew warm Medoc We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, inmost recesses catacombs I paused again, and bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the elbow

"The nitre ! " : "see, it increases It hangs like moss vaults below the river's bed The drops of moisture trickle bones Come, go back ere too late Your cough --"

" nothing," ; " go on But first, another draught Medoc "

I broke and reached him flagon of De Grve He emptied it at breath His eyes flashed with fierce light He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with gesticulation understand

I looked at him in surprise He repeated the movement - grotesque one

" comprehend ? "

"Not I," I replied

"Then brotherhood "

"How ? "

" masons "

"Yes, yes," , "yes, yes "

"You ? Impossible ! mason ? "

"A mason," I replied

"A sign,"

"It ," I answered, producing trowel from beneath the folds roquelaire

"You jest," he exclaimed, recoiling few paces "But proceed Amontillado "