{"id":6471,"date":"2019-08-01T00:46:44","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T05:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/?p=6471"},"modified":"2021-01-28T18:55:37","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T00:55:37","slug":"the-tell-tale-heart-part-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/2019\/08\/01\/the-tell-tale-heart-part-4\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tell-Tale Heart, Part 4"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">By Edgar Allan Poe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lurking-2.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption>Tap arrow above to play theme music.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tell-Tale-4th-part.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption>Tap arrow  to hear this story read to you.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"CV-messages-container CV-mainContainer-android\" style=\" background: none; background-color: #cc0000;\"><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> You mean that you cut off the head and the arms and the legs of the corpse?\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I did so in order to elude detection.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Why do you admit the deed now, in that case?\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> As you know, my neck is already in the noose.&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Then please complete your statement. Be aware that you may be proved mad by your own words, although you appear reasonably sane in my view.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Thank you. In my own view, too, but your words are encouraging. So, I cut him up, and I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings.\u00a0\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye\u2014not even his\u2014could have detected anything wrong. There was nothing to wash out\u2014no stain of any kind\u2014no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all\u2014ha! ha!\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I know!\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I almost feel as if you can read my thoughts.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> You know perfectly well that I am able to do so. But pray continue.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> For the record? Surely! When I had made an end of these labors, it was four o\u2019clock\u2014still dark as midnight. As the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart,\u2014for what had I now to fear?&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> How singular. This certainly could be repeated as one of the finest scary stories to tell in the dark. Trailer of murderers though I am, I am not sure I shall ever wish to repeat this. But what happened next?\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At ease<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"CV-messages-container CV-mainContainer-android\" style=\" background: none; background-color: #cc0000;\"><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> There entered three men, who introduced themselves with perfect suavity as officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> What did you think about that?\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I smiled,\u2014for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house and bade them search\u2014search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber.\u00a0\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Don&#8217;t you think that may have been a bit too much?\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> No, no! I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Did you think they believed you?\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> My manner had convinced the officers. I was singularly at ease. They sat, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things.\u00a0\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> The police were so readily being thwarted, but it was all a laugh to you, I suppose.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Certainly not. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. \n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> The ringing became more distinct:\u2014It continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness\u2014until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears.\n\n\n\n <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Excited to fury<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"CV-messages-container CV-mainContainer-android\" style=\" background: none; background-color: #cc0000;\"><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> No doubt, for you now grew very pale!\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. But the sound increased\u2014and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound\u2014much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Most disconcerting! I too noticed it.\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> No doubt! I gasped for breath\u2014and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly\u2014more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased.&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I know! Why would they not be gone?\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men\u2014but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do? I foamed\u2014I raved\u2014and I swore! Then I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. You must understand that it grew louder, louder!\n\n\n\n <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making a mockery<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"CV-messages-container CV-mainContainer-android\" style=\" background: none; background-color: #cc0000;\"><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> What was their reaction to all this?\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Nothing, for still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled.\u00a0\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Was it possible they heard not?&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> Almighty God!\u2014no, no! They heard!\u2014they suspected!\u2014and knew!\u2014they were making a mockery of my horror!&#8211;this I thought, and this I think.&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! For I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer!\u00a0\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-outgoingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Me<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-outgoing CV-outgoingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> You felt that you must scream or die?\u00a0\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> True, and now\u2014again!\u2014hark! Louder! Louder! Yet louder! Louder! \u201cVillains!\u201d I shrieked!\u00a0\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"msg-container CV-messageContainer-android\" style=\"\"><div class=\"CV-message-author CV-incomingAuthor-android\" style=\"\">Suspect<\/div><div class=\"CV-message CV-incomingMessage-android \" style=\"\"> I screamed, &#8220;dissemble no more! I admit the deed!\u2014tear up the planks! Here, here!\u2014It is the beating of his hideous heart!\u201d\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Edgar Allan Poe At ease Excited to fury Making a mockery<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5570,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_ti_tpc_template_sync":false,"_ti_tpc_template_id":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[63,646,702,658,708,703,319,661,336,651,704,705,700,699,706,537,709,701,710,632],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6471"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6471\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5570"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6471"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/captivatedchat.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=6471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}