Preeminent in my thoughts, however, stood at that moment the necessity to remove St.
Auban, and methought that by acting as I did I saw a way by which, haply, I might accomplish this.

What might thereafter befall me seemed of little moment.
"M.

de Montresor," I said presently, "your kindness impels me to set a further tax upon your generosity." "That is, Monsieur ?" "Bid your men fall back a little, and I will tell you." He made a sign to his troopers, and when the distance between us had been sufficiently widened, I began: "There is a man at present across the river, yonder, who has done me no little injury, and with whom I have a rendezvous at nine o'clock to-night at St.Sulpice des Reaux, where our swords are to determine the difference between us.

I crave, Monsieur, your permission to keep that appointment." "Impossible!" he answered curtly.
I took a deep breath like a man who is about to jump an obstacle in his path.
"Why impossible, Monsieur ?" "Because you are a prisoner, and therefore no longer under obligation to keep appointments." "How would you feel, Montresor, if, burning to be avenged upon a man who had done you irreparable wrong, you were arrested an hour before the time at which you were to meet this man, sword in hand, and your captor--whose leave you craved to keep the assignation--answered you with the word 'impossible' ?" "Yes, yes, Monsieur," he replied impatiently.

"But you forget my position.