this Medoc will defend us from the damps."

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, presenting him the wine.

He raised it to his lips with a leer. He paused and nodded to me

familiarly, while his bells jingled.

I drink," he said, "to the buried that repose around us."

And I to your long life."

He again took my arm, and we proceeded.

These vaults," he said, "are extensive."

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

I forget your arms."

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?"

The Cask of Amontillado