The Cask of Amontillado

Original English and Google translation from Italian

THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge.	I put up my best of the many injustices Fortunato, but when then came the insult, I vowed revenge.
You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.	However, you who know well the nature of my soul, not supporrete, of course I have the paid one threat.
AT LENGTH I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled -- but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk.	In the long run, I had to be avenged, and this was finally, irrevocably fixed, but the same perfection of my resolution excluded any idea of danger.
I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.	I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. An injury is not repaired if the punishment comes to punish the repairer, and is not repaired even when the avenger did not care to be known dall'insultante.
It must be 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 in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile NOW was at the thought of his immolation.	You have to know that Fortunato unspoken no reason to doubt my good will, nor with my words, nor with my actions. I continued, as usual, to smile in his face, and he guessed that by now my smile is not translated that thought of his sentence.
He had a weak point -- this Fortunato -- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine.	He had a weak side, that Fortunato, though it was sott'ogni than a man to be respected and even feared. He boasted of being a great connoisseur of wines.
Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian MILLIONAIRES.	Are few Italians really knowledgeable; their enthusiasm most of the time is borrowed, arranged at the time and on occasion, it is a quack to do well with English and American millionaires.
In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen , was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere.	When it comes to paintings and precious stones, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but, really, in the field of old wines he was sincere.
In this respect I did not differ from him materially; I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.	In this respect differivo not too much of him; n'intendevo me too much of Italian wines, and I did the supplies considerable whenever I could.
It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much.	One evening, just at the height of the carnival, I ran into my friend. I was met with grand'espansione, because he had been drinking much.
The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.	Was masked, dressed in a very tight, two-color, and with a cap on his head, conical and surrounded by campanelletti.
I was so pleased to see him, that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand.	I was so happy to see him that I would never have done to shake his hand.
I said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day! But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts."	I said: - My dear Fortunato, have I met him by the way. - What a beautiful ciera you today! - But I got a barrel of amontillado, or at least, a wine that m'è been given for this, him and I came to some doubt.
"How?" said he, "Amontillado? A pipe? Impossible ? And in the middle of the carnival?"	- What, - he said, - dell'amontillado? a barrel? But it is impossible! in the carnival! ...
"I have my doubts," I replied; "and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter. You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain."	- Yeah, as I say, come m'è any doubt - and then, I was stupid enough to pay any price dell'amontillado without consulting you. But what do you want? I did everything to find you, but it is to me successful, and I was afraid to miss an opportunity.
"Amontillado!"	- Dell'amontillado!
"I have my doubts."	- I have doubts.
"Amontillado!"	- Dell'amontillado!
"And I must satisfy them."	- And I sincerarmene.
"Amontillado!"	- Dell'amontillado!
"As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me" --	- If you are invited somewhere, I'll find Lucchesi. Well, he has a critical sense ... I say ...
"Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry."	- Lucchesi! That is not able to distinguish Amontillado from sherry.
"And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own."	- And yet there are idiots who want to say that its taste does not transfer to your.
"Come let us go."	- Come on!
"Whither?"	- Where?
"To your vaults."	- At your cellars.
"My friend, no; I will not impose upon your good nature. I perceive you have an engagement Luchesi" --	- No, my good friend. I do not want to abuse, really, for your kindness. Lucchesi ...
"I have no engagement; come."	- I'm not invited anywhere, let's go!
"My friend, no. It is not the engagement, but the severe cold with which I perceive you are afflicted . The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre."	- No, my friend. It is not the affair of the invitation, but for the great cold that will suffer, as far as I can see, the cellars are wet insoffribilmente: are covered with nitro.

"Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have been imposed upon; and as for Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado."	- But it's cold! Nothing! Come on, let's go! Dell'amontillado! You must have cheated. - And how to Lucchesi, he is not able to distinguish sherry dall'amontillado.
Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm. Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.	And so saying Fortunato took me in hand. I put on a mask of black silk, and let myself be led by him to my palace.
There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time. I had told them that I should not return until the morning and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house.	There was not even a servant in the house, had gone to party too, to do honor to the carnival. I told them that I would not be back before morning, and I had formally ordered not to move from home.
These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance , one and all, as soon as my back was turned.	This order was more than enough, n'ero sure, because if n'andassero, everyone, even the last, as soon as I turned away.
I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults.	I took two torches, I gave one to Fortunato, and walked obligingly, through a long parade of rooms, to the hallway that led to the cellars.
I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed.	I descended before him a long and winding staircase, turning from time to time and recommend that he be well attentive.
We came at length to the foot of the descent, and stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors.	Finally we reached the last steps, and we were together on the damp ground of the catacombs of Montresors.
The gait of my friend was unsteady, and the bells upon his cap jingled as he strode.	My friend walked a little 'staggering and campeneluzzi of his cap rang at every lurch.
"The pipe," said he.	- And the barrel of amontillado? - Said
"It is farther on," said I; "but observe the white webwork which gleams from these cavern walls."	- It 's far - rest, but look, look at me, but this white upholstery that spark on the wall.
He turned towards me and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of intoxication .	He turned towards me and looked into my eyes with two globes glazed distilling the tears of drunkenness.
"Nitre?" he asked, at length	- The nitro! - He finally said.
"Nitre," I replied. "How long have you had that cough!"	- Yes, the nitro. - But it's a long time since you have this cough!
"Ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh!	- Eh! eh! eh! - Eh! eh! eh! - Eh! eh! eh! - Eh!
My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minutes.	It was impossible for my poor friend to answer the first few minutes.
"It is nothing," he said, at last.	- It's nothing - he finally said.
"Come," I said, with decision, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi" --	- There, let's go, - I answered firmly and seriously - go, away, your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, loved, you are happy, as once I was, you are a man who would leave a vacuum, and while I ... There, there, let's go, because you might get sick. And then, there Lucchesi.
"Enough," he said; "the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough."	- But what if it's nothing, I tell you! Eh, a little 'cough! Could it be an evil to die. Are you sure you do not die of rheumatism.
"True -- true," I replied; "and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily -- but you should use all proper caution. A draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps."	- It 's true, that's true - I said - really, I had not intentionally tried to unnecessarily apprehensive - but, well, you should have you more care, more precautions ... Take a little' medoc this, you will do very well against moisture.
Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.	I took a bottle from a long line of her companions who were standing there, lying on the ground, and it broke his neck.
"Drink," I said, presenting him the wine.	- Drink - I said presentandogliela.
He raised it to his lips with a leer. He paused and nodded to me familiarly, while his bells jingled.	He clung there staring at the corner of his eye. He paused, shook his hand very familiar (the bells jingled), and said:
"I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us."	- Drink to the dead that lie around us
"And I to your long life."	- And I to your long life.
He again took my arm and we proceeded.	Took me by the arm and pulled forward.
"These vaults," he said, are extensive."	- How large are these caves! - Said
"The Montresors," I replied, "were a great numerous family."	And I said - I Montresors were a large family, and numerous.
"I forget your arms."	- I do not remember your guns.
"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel."	- A large foot gold on a blue field, the foot crushes a serpent that thrusts the teeth in the heel.
"And the motto?"	- And the motto?

"Nemo me impune lacessit."	- Nemo me impune lacessit.
"Good!" he said.	- Beautiful! - He said.
The wine sparkled in his eyes and the bells jingled. My own fancy grew warm with the Medoc.	The wine sparkled in his eyes and the bells jingled. The medoc I had warmed me.
We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.	We came through to walls of piled bones, sandwiched by barrels and casks of wine, the last depths of the catacombs.
I paused again, and this time I made bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the elbow.	I paused again, and this time I dared to take Fortunato by an arm, below the elbow.
"The nitre!" I said: see it increases. It hangs like moss upon the vaults. We are below the river's bed. The drops of moisture trickle among the bones. Come, we will go back ere it is too late. Your cough" --	- But look: the nitro increases. Look at how often hangs. We are below the river bed. The drops of moisture seep through the bones. There, go, go, before it gets too late. Your cough ...
"It is nothing" he said; "let us go on. But first, another draught of the Medoc."	- But it's nothing, - he said - get along. But before the first, however, another little 'medoc.
I broke and reached him a flagon of De Grave. He emptied it at a breath. His eyes flashed with a fierce light. He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation I did not understand.	I broke the neck of a bottle of wine from serious and handed it to her. He drank it in one gulp. His eyes shone in a blazing fire. He laughed and threw the bottle in the air in a gesture of which the meaning is not understood.
I looked at him in surprise. He repeated the movement -- a grotesque one.	I looked at him surprised. He repeated the movement - a movement grotesque.
"You do not comprehend?" he said.	- You do not understand - he said.
"Not I," I replied.	- I do not.
"Then you are not of the brotherhood."	- Then you're not the lodge?
"How?"	- How?
"You are not of the masons."	- You are a worker.
"Yes, yes," I said "yes! yes."	- Ah! yes! yes! - I said.
"You? Impossible! A mason?"	- You worker! It 's impossible!
"A mason," I replied.	- Yes, I tell you!
"A sign," he said.	- A sign.
"It is this," I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire.	- Here it is, - I said, and the folds of my cloak took out a trowel.
"You jest," he exclaimed, recoiling a few paces. "But let us proceed to the Amontillado."	- Do you want to play, you, - said giving a step back. - But we want quest'amontillado.
"Be it so," I said, replacing the tool beneath the cloak, and again offering him my arm. He leaned upon it heavily.	- So, let's go, - I said, rimettendomi that thing under the cloak, and again offering him my arm, which leaned heavily.
We continued our route in search of the Amontillado.	We continued our journey in search dell'amontillado.
We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.	We passed under a row of arches very low, then we went down, we took a few steps, and fell again, we found ourselves in a deep crypt where the air was impure redden rather than shine our torches.
At the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another less spacious.	Deep down in the crypt he saw another, less wide.
Its walls had been lined with human remains piled to the vault overhead , in the fashion of the great catacombs of Paris.	It had been coated the walls with human remains, piled up in the caves above us, in the manner of the great catacombs of Paris.
Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner. From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.	Three sides of this second crypt were still so decorated. From fourth the bones had been torn and lay confusedly on the ground, forming a barrier at a point of a certain height.
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.	In the wall, put so bare for the removal of the bones, you could see yet another niche depth of about four feet wide, three, six or seven high.
It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use in 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 did not seem like it had been-constructed for a special purpose, but formed merely the interval between two of the huge pillars that supported the vault of the catacombs and leaning to one of the big walls of granite.
It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavoured to pry into the depths of the recess. Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see.	In vain that Fortunato lifted his torch weakened. That little light did not allow us to see the end of the recess.
"Proceed," I said; "herein is the Amontillado. As for Luchesi" --	- Go ahead,-said I, - there is the amontillado. As for Lucchesi ...

"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 .	- It 'an ignorant, interrupted my friend, going ahead of me and a zig-zag, and I followed closely. In an instant he had reached the end of the recess and being abruptly stopped 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.	A moment later I was chained to the granite. There were two rings on the wall of iron, at a distance of about two feet from one another, in a horizontal line.
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.	For one hung a short chain, the other a padlock. After avergliela passed around the waist, the Fermar the chain to the lock was the affair of a moment. He was too stunned to resist. I raised the key and pulled back in a few steps beyond the niche.
"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.	- Move the hand on the wall, - I said, feeling as nitro? But is it really wet, too wet! Way, let me beseech you once again of leave.
No? Then I must positively leave you. But I must first render you all the little attentions in my power."	- No? - Then you must leave. But first I will make you all the little services I can.
"The Amontillado!" ejaculated my friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment.	- The Amontillado! - Escamò my friend not yet fully recovered from his astonishment.
"True," I replied; "the Amontillado."	- It 's true, - said I, - 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.	And so I went around saying that big pile of bones that I mentioned above. I threw a party, and so I soon discovered a good amount of stones and mortar.
With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.	With those materaili, with the help of a trowel began actively 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.	I had just finished the removal layer of my building, I discovered that the intoxication of Fortunato as it had largely dissipated.
The earliest indication I had of this was a low moaning cry from the depth of the recess.	The first clue that I had was a dull cry, a groan that came out of the bottom of the enclosure.
It was NOT the cry of a drunken man. There was then a long and obstinate silence.	It was not the cry of a drunken man! Then there was a long silence, stubborn.
I laid the second tier, and the third, and the fourth; and then I heard the furious vibrations of the chain.	I placed the second layer, then the third, then the fourth; then 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.	The noise lasted for several minutes, during which time, so I can better delight, I interrupted my work and I sat on 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.	Finally, when the noise subsided, I resumed my trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, sixth and seventh row. The wall was then almost up to my chest.
I again paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, threw a few feeble rays upon the figure within.	I paused again, and inalzando torches above the building, threw a few feeble rays upon him locked up.
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.	Uvula of that person chained explosion suddenly made a series of great howls, cries of acute, and I flung, so to speak, violently back. For a 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 pulled out my sword and started chopping furiously into the niche, but a moment's reflection sufficed to tranquillarmi. I felt the massive walls of the cave, and examination reassured me completely.
I reapproached the wall. I replied to the yells of him who clamoured. I reechoed -- I aided -- I surpassed them in volume and in strength. I did this, and the clamourer grew still.	Then I riaccostai the wall and said to the screams of my man. I made them echo and accompaniment - I overtook them in volume and in strength. Here's how I did, and the newsboy is quieted.
It was now midnight, and my task was drawing to a close. I had completed the eighth, the ninth, and the tenth tier.	It was midnight, then, and it was my job at the end. I had completed an eighth, a ninth and tenth layer.
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.	I had already completed a part of the eleventh and last, nothing remained but a single stone to be put. The removed and got up with isforzo, and the position very nearly in its proper 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 recognising as that of the noble Fortunato. The voice said --	But then escaped from a niche that made me chuckle hair stand on your head. At that rice was succeeded by a sad voice that I could hardly recognize as that of the noble Fortunato. The voice said:
"Ha! ha! ha! -- he! he! -- a very good joke indeed -- an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo -- he! he! he! -- over our wine -- he! he! he!"	- Ha! ha! ha! - He! he! - A joke, really! - Nice! magnificent! Laughter that we will make the palace - he! he! - Of our good wine! - He! he! he!
"The Amontillado!" I said.	- Dell'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."	- He! he! - He! he! - Already - dell'amontillado. But do not you late? No waiting at the palace, Mrs. Fortunato and the rest? Let's go.
"Yes," I said "let us be gone."	- Yes, - I said - let's go.
"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MONTRESOR!"	- For the love of God, Montresors! -
"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!"	- Yes, - said I, - for God's sake!
But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply. I grew impatient. I called aloud --	But these words there was no answer; vain I listened. M'impazientai. I called aloud:
"Fortunato!"	- Lucky!

No answer. I called again --	No answer. Again strong:
"Fortunato!"	- Lucky!
No answer still. I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and let it fall within.	Nothing. - I spent a flashlight through the opening that was left and dropped it there.
There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells.	In response I received a ringing of bells, muffled away.
My heart grew sick -- on account of the dampness of the catacombs.	I felt a chill to the heart, no doubt due to 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.	I hastened to put an end to my work. I made an effort, and put in place the last stone, then I covered with mortar.
Against the new masonry I reerected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.	Against the new masonry I put the old layer of bones. From half century no one has removed them.
In pace requiescat!	Requiescat in peace!
However, you who know well the nature of my soul, not supporrete, of course I have the paid one threat.	You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.
In the long run, I had to be avenged, and this was finally, irrevocably fixed, but the same perfection of my resolution excluded any idea of danger.	AT LENGTH I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled -- but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk.
I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. An injury is not repaired if the punishment comes to punish the repairer, and is not repaired even when the avenger did not care to be known dall'insultante.	I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
You have to know that Fortunato unspoken no reason to doubt my good will, nor with my words, nor with my actions. I continued, as usual, to smile in his face, and he guessed that by now my smile is not translated that thought of his sentence.	It must be 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 in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile NOW was at the thought of his immolation.
He had a weak side, that Fortunato, though it was sott'ogni than a man to be respected and even feared. He boasted of being a great connoisseur of wines.	He had a weak point -- this Fortunato -- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine.
Are few Italians really knowledgeable; their enthusiasm most of the time is borrowed, arranged at the time and on occasion, it is a quack to do well with English and American millionaires.	Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian MILLIONAIRES.
When it comes to paintings and precious stones, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but, really, in the field of old wines he was sincere.	In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen , was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere.
In this respect differivo not too much of him; n'intendevo me too much of Italian wines, and I did the supplies considerable whenever I could.	In this respect I did not differ from him materially; I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.
One evening, just at the height of the carnival, I ran into my friend. I was met with grand'espansione, because he had been drinking much.	It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much.
Was masked, dressed in a very tight, two-color, and with a cap on his head, conical and surrounded by campanelletti.	The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells.
I was so happy to see him that I would never have done to shake his hand.	I was so pleased to see him, that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand.
I said: - My dear Fortunato, have I met him by the way. - What a beautiful ciera you today! - But I got a barrel of amontillado, or at least, a wine that m'è been given for this, him and I came to some doubt.	I said to him -- "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day! But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts."
- What, - he said, - dell'amontillado? a barrel? But it is impossible! in the carnival! ...	"How?" said he, "Amontillado? A pipe? Impossible ? And in the middle of the carnival?"
- Yeah, as I say, come m'è any doubt - and then, I was stupid enough to pay any price dell'amontillado without consulting you. But what do you want? I did everything to find you, but it is to me successful, and I was afraid to miss an opportunity.	"I have my doubts," I replied; "and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter. You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain."
- Dell'amontillado!	"Amontillado!"
- I have doubts.	"I have my doubts."
- Dell'amontillado!	"Amontillado!"
- And I sincerarmene.	"And I must satisfy them."
- Dell'amontillado!	"Amontillado!"
- If you are invited somewhere, I'll find Lucchesi. Well, he has a critical sense ... I say ...	"As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchesi. If any one has a critical turn, it is he. He will tell me" --
- Lucchesi! That is not able to distinguish Amontillado from sherry.	"Luchesi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry."
- And yet there are idiots who want to say that its taste does not transfer to your.	"And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own."

- Come on!	"Come let us go."
- Where?	"Whither?"
- At your cellars.	"To your vaults."
- No, my good friend. I do not want to abuse, really, for your kindness. Lucchesi ...	"My friend, no; I will not impose upon your good nature. I perceive you have an engagement Luchesi" --
- I'm not invited anywhere, let's go!	"I have no engagement; come."
- No, my friend. It is not the affair of the invitation, but for the great cold that will suffer, as far as I can see, the cellars are wet insoffribilmente: are covered with nitro.	"My friend, no. It is not the engagement, but the severe cold with which I perceive you are afflicted . The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre."
- But it's cold! Nothing! Come on, let's go! Dell'amontillado! You must have cheated. - And how to Lucchesi, he is not able to distinguish sherry dall'amontillado.	"Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have been imposed upon; and as for Luchesi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado."
And so saying Fortunato took me in hand. I put on a mask of black silk, and let myself be led by him to my palace.	Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm. Putting on a mask of black silk and drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.
There was not even a servant in the house, had gone to party too, to do honor to the carnival. I told them that I would not be back before morning, and I had formally ordered not to move from home.	There were no attendants at home; they had absconded to make merry in honour of the time. I had told them that I should not return until the morning and had given them explicit orders not to stir from the house.
This order was more than enough, n'ero sure, because if n'andassero, everyone, even the last, as soon as I turned away.	These orders were sufficient, I well knew, to insure their immediate disappearance , one and all, as soon as my back was turned.
I took two torches, I gave one to Fortunato, and walked obligingly, through a long parade of rooms, to the hallway that led to the cellars.	I took from their sconces two flambeaux, and giving one to Fortunato bowed him through several suites of rooms to the archway that led into the vaults.
I descended before him a long and winding staircase, turning from time to time and recommend that he be well attentive.	I passed down a long and winding staircase, requesting him to be cautious as he followed.
Finally we reached the last steps, and we were together on the damp ground of the catacombs of Montresors.	We came at length to the foot of the descent, and stood together on the damp ground of the catacombs of the Montresors.
My friend walked a little 'staggering and campeneluzzi of his cap rang at every lurch.	The gait of my friend was unsteady, and the bells upon his cap jingled as he strode.
- And the barrel of amontillado? - Said	"The pipe," said he.
- It 's far - rest, but look, look at me, but this white upholstery that spark on the wall.	"It is farther on," said I; "but observe the white webwork which gleams from these cavern walls."
He turned towards me and looked into my eyes with two globes glazed distilling the tears of drunkenness.	He turned towards me and looked into my eyes with two filmy orbs that distilled the rheum of intoxication .
- The nitro! - He finally said.	"Nitre?" he asked, at length
- Yes, the nitro. - But it's a long time since you have this cough!	"Nitre," I replied. "How long have you had that cough!"
- Eh! eh! eh! - Eh! eh! eh! - Eh! eh! eh! - Eh!	"Ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh! -- ugh! ugh! ugh!
It was impossible for my poor friend to answer the first few minutes.	My poor friend found it impossible to reply for many minutes.
- It's nothing - he finally said.	"It is nothing," he said, at last.
- There, let's go, - I answered firmly and seriously - go, away, your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, loved, you are happy, as once I was, you are a man who would leave a vacuum, and while I ... There, there, let's go, because you might get sick. And then, there Lucchesi.	"Come," I said, with decision, we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For me it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchesi" --
- But what if it's nothing, I tell you! Eh, a little 'cough! Could it be an evil to die. Are you sure you do not die of rheumatism.	"Enough," he said; "the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough."
- It 's true, that's true - I said - really, I had not intentionally tried to unnecessarily apprehensive - but, well, you should have you more care, more precautions ... Take a little' medoc this, you will do very well against moisture.	"True -- true," I replied; "and, indeed, I had no intention of alarming you unnecessarily -- but you should use all proper caution. A draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps."
I took a bottle from a long line of her companions who were standing there, lying on the ground, and it broke his neck.	Here I knocked off the neck of a bottle which I drew from a long row of its fellows that lay upon the mould.
- Drink - I said presentandogliela.	"Drink," I said, presenting him the wine.
He clung there staring at the corner of his eye. He paused, shook his hand very familiar (the bells jingled), and said:	He raised it to his lips with a leer. He paused and nodded to me familiarly, while his bells jingled.
- Drink to the dead that lie around us	"I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us."
- And I to your long life.	"And I to your long life."

Took me by the arm and pulled forward.	He again took my arm and we proceeded.
- How large are these caves! - Said	"These vaults," he said, are extensive."
And I said - I Montresors were a large family, and numerous.	"The Montresors," I replied, "were a great numerous family."
- I do not remember your guns.	"I forget your arms."
- A large foot gold on a blue field, the foot crushes a serpent that thrusts the teeth in the heel.	"A huge human foot d'or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel."
- And the motto?	"And the motto?"
- Nemo me impune lacessit.	"Nemo me impune lacessit."
- Beautiful! - He said.	"Good!" he said.
The wine sparkled in his eyes and the bells jingled. The medoc I had warmed me.	The wine sparkled in his eyes and the bells jingled. My own fancy grew warm with the Medoc.
We came through to walls of piled bones, sandwiched by barrels and casks of wine, the last depths of the catacombs.	We had passed through walls of piled bones, with casks and puncheons intermingling, into the inmost recesses of the catacombs.
I paused again, and this time I dared to take Fortunato by an arm, below the elbow.	I paused again, and this time I made bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the elbow.
- But look: the nitro increases. Look at how often hangs. We are below the river bed. The drops of moisture seep through the bones. There, go, go, before it gets too late. Your cough ...	"The nitre!" I said: see it increases. It hangs like moss upon the vaults. We are below the river's bed. The drops of moisture trickle among the bones. Come, we will go back ere it is too late. Your cough" --
- But it's nothing, - he said - get along. But before the first, however, another little 'medoc.	"It is nothing" he said; "let us go on. But first, another draught of the Medoc."
I broke the neck of a bottle of wine from serious and handed it to her. He drank it in one gulp. His eyes shone in a blazing fire. He laughed and threw the bottle in the air in a gesture of which the meaning is not understood.	I broke and reached him a flagon of De Grave. He emptied it at a breath. His eyes flashed with a fierce light. He laughed and threw the bottle upwards with a gesticulation I did not understand.
I looked at him surprised. He repeated the movement - a movement grotesque.	I looked at him in surprise. He repeated the movement -- a grotesque one.
- You do not understand - he said.	"You do not comprehend?" he said.
- I do not.	"Not I," I replied.
- Then you're not the lodge?	"Then you are not of the brotherhood."
- How?	"How?"
- You are a worker.	"You are not of the masons."
- Ah! yes! yes! - I said.	"Yes, yes," I said "yes! yes."
- You worker! It 's impossible!	"You? Impossible! A mason?"
- Yes, I tell you!	"A mason," I replied.
- A sign.	"A sign," he said.
- Here it is, - I said, and the folds of my cloak took out a trowel.	"It is this," I answered, producing a trowel from beneath the folds of my roquelaire.
- Do you want to play, you, - said giving a step back. - But we want quest'amontillado.	"You jest," he exclaimed, recoiling a few paces. "But let us proceed to the Amontillado."
- So, let's go, - I said, rimettendomi that thing under the cloak, and again offering him my arm, which leaned heavily.	"Be it so," I said, replacing the tool beneath the cloak, and again offering him my arm. He leaned upon it heavily.
We continued our journey in search dell'amontillado.	We continued our route in search of the Amontillado.
We passed under a row of arches very low, then we went down, we took a few steps, and fell again, we found ourselves in a deep crypt where the air was impure redden rather than shine our torches.	We passed through a range of low arches, descended, passed on, and descending again, arrived at a deep crypt, in which the foulness of the air caused our flambeaux rather to glow than flame.
Deep down in the crypt he saw another, less wide.	At the most remote end of the crypt there appeared another less spacious.

It had been coated the walls with human remains, piled up in the caves above us, in the manner of the great catacombs of Paris.	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 second crypt were still so decorated. From fourth the bones had been torn and lay confusedly on the ground, forming a barrier at a point of a certain height.	Three sides of this interior crypt were still ornamented in this manner. From the fourth the bones had been thrown down, and lay promiscuously upon the earth, forming at one point a mound of some size.
In the wall, put so bare for the removal of the bones, you could see yet another niche depth of about four feet wide, three, six or seven high.	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 did not seem like it had been-constructed for a special purpose, but formed merely the interval between two of the huge pillars that supported the vault of the catacombs and leaning to one of the big walls of granite.	It seemed to have been constructed for no especial use in 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.
In vain that Fortunato lifted his torch weakened. That little light did not allow us to see the end of the recess.	It was in vain that Fortunato, uplifting his dull torch, endeavoured to pry into the depths of the recess. Its termination the feeble light did not enable us to see.
- Go ahead,-said I, - there is the amontillado. As for Lucchesi ...	"Proceed," I said; "herein is the Amontillado. As for Luchesi" --
- It 'an ignorant, interrupted my friend, going ahead of me and a zig-zag, and I followed closely. In an instant he had reached the end of the recess and being abruptly stopped by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered.	"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 later I was chained to the granite. There were two rings on the wall of iron, at a distance of about two feet from one another, in a horizontal line.	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.
For one hung a short chain, the other a padlock. After avergliela passed around the waist, the Fermar the chain to the lock was the affair of a moment. He was too stunned to resist. I raised the key and pulled back in a few steps beyond the niche.	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.
- Move the hand on the wall, - I said, feeling as nitro? But is it really wet, too wet! Way, let me beseech you once again of leave.	"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 you must leave. But first I will make you all the little services I can.	No? Then I must positively leave you. But I must first render you all the little attentions in my power."
- The Amontillado! - Escamò my friend not yet fully recovered from his astonishment.	"The Amontillado!" ejaculated my friend, not yet recovered from his astonishment.
- It 's true, - said I, - the amontillado.	"True," I replied; "the Amontillado."
And so I went around saying that big pile of bones that I mentioned above. I threw a party, and so I soon discovered a good amount of stones and mortar.	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 those materaili, with the help of a trowel began actively to wall up the entrance of the niche.	With these materials and with the aid of my trowel, I began vigorously to wall up the entrance of the niche.
I had just finished the removal layer of my building, I discovered that the intoxication of Fortunato as it had largely dissipated.	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 first clue that I had was a dull cry, a groan that came out of the bottom of the enclosure.	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! Then there was a long silence, stubborn.	It was NOT the cry of a drunken man. There was then a long and obstinate silence.
I placed the second layer, then the third, then the fourth; then heard the furious vibrations of the chain.	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 time, so I can better delight, I interrupted my work and I sat on the bones.	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.
Finally, when the noise subsided, I resumed my trowel, and finished without interruption the fifth, sixth and seventh row. The wall was then almost up to my chest.	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 paused again, and inalzando torches above the building, threw a few feeble rays upon him locked up.	I again paused, and holding the flambeaux over the mason-work, threw a few feeble rays upon the figure within.
Uvula of that person chained explosion suddenly made a series of great howls, cries of acute, and I flung, so to speak, violently back. For a moment I hesitated - I trembled.	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.
I pulled out my sword and started chopping furiously into the niche, but a moment's reflection sufficed to tranquillarmi. I felt the massive walls of the cave, and examination reassured me completely.	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.
Then I riaccostai the wall and said to the screams of my man. I made them echo and accompaniment - I overtook them in volume and in strength. Here's how I did, and the newsboy is quieted.	I reapproached the wall. I replied to the yells of him who clamoured. I reechoed -- I aided -- I surpassed them in volume and in strength. I did this, and the clamourer grew still.
It was midnight, then, and it was my job at the end. I had completed an eighth, a ninth and tenth layer.	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 already completed a part of the eleventh and last, nothing remained but a single stone to be put. The removed and got up with isforzo, and the position very nearly in its proper position.	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 then escaped from a niche that made me chuckle hair stand on your head. At that rice was succeeded by a sad voice that I could hardly recognize as that of the noble Fortunato. The voice said:	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 recognising as that of the noble Fortunato. The voice said --
- Ha! ha! ha! - He! he! - A joke, really! - Nice! magnificent! Laughter that we will make the palace - he! he! - Of our good wine! - He! he! he!	"Ha! ha! ha! -- he! he! -- a very good joke indeed -- an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo -- he! he! he! -- over our wine -- he! he! he!"
- Dell'amontillado, - I said.	"The Amontillado!" I said.

- He! he! - He! he! - Already - dell'amontillado. But do not you late? No waiting at the palace, Mrs. Fortunato and the rest? Let's go.	"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's go.	"Yes," I said "let us be gone."
- For the love of God, Montresors! -	"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, MONTRESOR!"
- Yes, - said I, - for God's sake!	"Yes," I said, "for the love of God!"
But these words there was no answer; vain I listened. M'impazientai. I called aloud:	But to these words I hearkened in vain for a reply. I grew impatient. I called aloud --
- Lucky!	"Fortunato!"
No answer. Again strong:	No answer. I called again --
- Lucky!	"Fortunato!"
Nothing. - I spent a flashlight through the opening that was left and dropped it there.	No answer still. I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and let it fall within.
In response I received a ringing of bells, muffled away.	There came forth in return only a jingling of the bells.
I felt a chill to the heart, no doubt due to the dampness of the catacombs.	My heart grew sick -- on account of the dampness of the catacombs.
I hastened to put an end to my work. I made an effort, and put in place the last stone, then I covered with mortar.	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 put the old layer of bones. From half century no one has removed them.	Against the new masonry I reerected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.
Requiescat in peace!	In pace requiescat!