八喜电子书 > 经管其他电子书 > the cask of amontillado >

第2部分

the cask of amontillado-第2部分

小说: the cask of amontillado 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




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 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 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 indeedan

excellent jest。  We shall have many a rich laugh about it at the

palazzohe! he! he!over our winehe! 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!









End 

返回目录 上一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的