The Tell-Tale Heart

have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over acuteness of the senses?

Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in!

Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed! –tear up the planks! –here, here! –it is the beating of his hideous heart!"

. Madmen know nothing.

would a madman have been so wise as this?

All in vain; because Death, in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim.

. But anything was better than this agony!

Madmen know nothing.

It was not a groan of pain or of grief –oh, no! –it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe.

Yet 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 – and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly –more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased.