face or person: for I had directed the ray as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot.I have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror.It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.And now have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the senses?--now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton.I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done.I scarcely breathed.I held the lantern motionless.Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased.It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and louder every instant.And now a new anxiety seized me--the sound would be heard by a neighbor!With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room.At length it ceased.