I smiled to myself and said "But some people say that he is as good a judge of wine as you are." Fortunato grabbed my arm. "Take me to it," he said. "Ill taste the Amontillado for you." "But my friend," I protested, "it is late. The wine is in my wine cellar, underneath the palace. Those rooms are very damp and cold and the walls drip with water." "I dont care," he said. "I am the only person who can tell you if your wine man has cheated you. Lucresi cannot!" Fortunato turned, and still holding me by the arm, pulled me down the street to my home. The building was empty. My servants were enjoying carnival. I knew they would be gone all night. I took two large candles, lit them and gave one to Fortunato. I started down the dark, twisting stairway with Fortunato close behind me. At the bottom of the stairs, the damp air wrapped itself around our bodies.