(III)
The old man was dead…
He was stone, stone dead…
His eye would trouble me no more.
The night waned, and I worked hastily…
I dismembered the corpse… then I took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings.
There was nothing to wash out – no stain of any kind – no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that.
It was four o’clock – still dark as midnight.
… there came a knocking at the door…
I went down to open it… for what had I now to fear?
There entered … three officers of the police.
A shriek had been heard…
I smiled, - for what had I to fear?
I took my visitors al lover the house. I led them… to his chamber…
In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest…
while I myself, in the audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot
beneath the corpse of the victim.
My manner had convinced them.
They sat, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things.
But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone.
My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears…
The ringing became more distinct…
I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling…
But it continued and gained definitiveness…
The noise was within my ears.
The sound increased – and what could I do?
It was a low, dull, quick sound – much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton.
I gasped for breath…
I talked more quickly…
Why would they not be gone?
The noise steadily increate. Oh God! What could I do?
I foamed – I raved – I swore! I swung the chair…
But the noise grew louder – louder – louder!
Was it possible they heard not?
Almighty God! – no, no! They heard! –
they suspected! – they knew! –
they were making a mockery of my horror!
I felt that I must scream or die! – and now – again! hark! louder! louder! louder! –
louder!
“Villains!” I shriek, “dissemble no more!...
… here, here!
– it is the beating of his hideous heart!”
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