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Having procured mortar, sand, and hair, with every possible precaution, I prepared a plaster which could not be distinguished from the old, and with this I very carefully went over the new brickwork.

When I had finished, I felt satisfied that all was right.

The wall did not present the slightest appearance of having been disturbed.

The rubbish on the floor was picked up with the minutest care.

I looked around triumphantly, and said to myself, "Here at least, then, my labor has not been in vain."

My next step was to look for the beast which had been the cause of so much wretchedness; for I had, at length, firmly resolved to put it to death.

Had I been able to meet with it, at the moment, there could have been no doubt of its fate; but it appeared that the crafty animal had been alarmed at the violence of my previous anger, and forebore to present itself in my present mood.

It is impossible to describe, or to imagine, the deep, the blissful sense of relief which the absence of the detested creature occasioned in my bosom.

It did not make its appearance during the night-and thus for one night at least, since its introduction into the house, I soundly and tranquilly slept; aye, slept even with the burden of murder upon my soul!

The second and the third day passed, and still my tormentor came not.

Once again I breathed as a free man.

The monster, in terror, had fled the premises for ever! I should behold it no more! My happiness was supreme! The guilt of my dark deed disturbed me but little.

Some few inquiries had been made, but these had been readily answered.

Even a search had been instituted-but of course nothing was to be discovered.

I looked upon my future felicity as secured.

Upon the fourth day of the assassination, a party of the police came, very unexpectedly, into the house, and proceeded again to make rigorous investigation of the premises.

Secure, however, in the inscrutability of my place of concealment, I felt no embarrassment whatever.

The officers bade me accompany them in their search.

They left no nook or corner unexplored.

At length, for the third or fourth time, they descended into the cellar.

I quivered not in a muscle.

My heart beat calmly as that of one who slumbers in innocence.

I walked the cellar from end to end.

I folded my arms upon my bosom, and roamed easily to and fro.

The police were thoroughly satisfied, and prepared to depart.

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