And, by Heaven, a monstrous flaw there is in this business, for if either of you so much as whisper I'll blow your brains out!" And to emphasise these words, as sinister as they were unlooked-for, I raised both hands suddenly from beneath my cloak, and clapped the cold nose of a pistol to the head of each of them.
I was obeyed as men are obeyed who thus uncompromisingly prove the force of their commands.

Seeing them resigned, I whistled softly, and in answer there was a rustle from among the neighbouring trees, and presently two shadows emerged from the thicket.

In less time than it takes me to relate it, Montresor and his sergeant found themselves gagged, and each securely bound to a tree.
Then, with Michelot and Abdon following a short distance behind me, I made my way back to the troopers, and, feigning to stumble as I approached, I hurtled so violently against two of them that I knocked the pair headlong into the stream.
Scarce was it done, and almost before the remaining three had realised it, there was a pistol at the head of each of them and sweet promises of an eternal hereafter being whispered in their ears.

They bore themselves with charming discretion, and like lambs we led them each to a tree and dealt with them as we had dealt with their officers, whilst the Chevalier and his daughter watched us, bewildered and dumfounded at what they saw.
As soon as the other two had crawled--all unconscious of the fates of their comrades--out of the river, we served them also in a like manner.
Bidding Abdon and Michelot lead the horses, and still speaking in my assumed voice, I desired Mademoiselle and the Chevalier--who had not yet sufficiently recovered from his bewilderment to have found his tongue--to follow me.

I led the way up the gentle slope to the spot where our first victims were pinioned.
Montresor's comely young face looked monstrous wicked in the moonlight, and his eyes rolled curiously as he beheld me.