The works of Edgar Allan Poe; newly collected and edited, with a memoir, critical introductions, and notes, by Edmund Clarence Stedman and George Edward Woodberry; the illustrations by Albert Edward Sterner.

THE TELL-TALE HEART

The ringing became more distinct: it continued and
became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid
of the feeling: but it continued and gained definitiveness- until, at length, I found that the noise was not
within my ears.
No doubt I now grew very pale; but I talked more
fluently, and with a heightened voice. ' 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.
I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key, and
with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily
increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced
the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to
fury by the observations of the men - but the noise
steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do?
foamed - I raved - I swore! 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. It grew louder - louder - louder! And
still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it
possible they heard not? Almighty God! -no, no!
They heard! - they suspected! - they knew! - they
were making a mockery of my horror! - this I thought,
and this I think. But anything was better than this
agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no
longer! I felt that I must scream or die!- and now
-again! - hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!" Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no moret I
admit the deed! —tear up the planks!-here, herel
-- it is the beating of his hideous heart!"
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