Fast and and devious revenge.

(from The Raven and Other Writings)

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit

Surely you’ve read this one before? I know I did in high school. Defintely worth a re-read with older eyes. Here‘s a link to the story proper, though I cannot vouch for it being a typo-free reading experience (such is the web).
It was recommended by Jesse D. (a.k.a. the Bloody Knee Jerk) that I pick up this cheap Poe compendium from Borders, here in the pre-Halloween days, and this story in particular was suggested by Liz.
Poe wastes little time in this story. In fact, we really only see the act of vengeance. No motive. Little exposition. Just cunning and malice. All we know is Fortunato fucked with the wrong guy. I didn’t quite get all the Masonic stuff, and I’m guessing all the nitre references were a red herring. But the story’s main points were sharp and swift.