(continued)

"Proceed," I said;  "herein is the Amontillado.  As for Luchresi——"

"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 will 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 my 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.

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