This story is a tale of a man who tells his story of a crime he got away with years ago. The man is Montresor, the narrator and criminal of this story. The crime he had committed was murder. He had murdered a man with and ironic name almost being fortunate, Fortunato. He had been insulted by this man and his pride had been hurt. He must seek revenge in order to gain back the pride he lost.
Montresor meets up with Fortunato at a fair, where Fortunato is dressed as a fool. He takes Fortunato in the deep catacombs telling him he must try this Amontillado or more commonly known as wine. Fortunato being pompous feels he in an expert of the subject and follows him. Fortunato is slightly intoxicated and continues to speak poorly of Montresor as they continue through the catacombs. He says that there is no way that Montresor could be part of the masonry, men of a secret society. In a move very ironic Montresor takes out a masons shovel and walls in Fortunato. He waits for a second to listen for a call from Fortunato but there is none. Montresor has lived with the secret that and seems to have little grief as he tells this horrific tale.