And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring on how he had passed the night
I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and the old man sprang up in the bed, crying out--"Who's there?" I kept quite still and said nothing.
The old man’s hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once—once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done.
The night waned, and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse...I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings...There was nothing to wash out... A tub had caught all—ha! ha!
"I admit the deed!-tear up the planks!-here,here!-it is the beating of his hideous heart.