Every year the city had a big party. One evening at this time, I met Fortunato in the street. He said hello very warmly. He was wearing a party hat and colourful clothes, and he was quite drunk. I shook his hand for a long time because I was very pleased to see him.
I said, “My dear Fortunato! You look very well today! I am lucky to meet you! I have bought a barrel of wine. I think that it is Amontillado. But I am not sure.”
“What?” he said. “Amontillado? You bought a barrel of Amontillado? At this time of the year? It is not possible!”
“Maybe you are right”, I answered. “I was very silly and I paid the full price for it too. I wanted to ask you about it first, but I could not find you. I really wanted to buy the Amontillado before another man took it.”
“Amontillado!”
“I think it is Amontillado.”
“Amontillado!”
“I must be sure, though.”
“Amontillado!”
“I can see that you are busy. So I am on my way to talk to Luchesi. He knows wine very well. He will be able to tell me if it is Amontillado.”
