Quoth the raven "Nevermore."

Edgar Allen Poe's death in 1849 is a topic still shrouded in mystery.After visiting Virginia as a lecturer, Poe disappeared and was later found in Baltimore, in horrible condition. He died in the hospitable four days later.

100 years afterwards, in 1949, a mysterious figure began marking January 19, Edgar Allen Poe's birthday, by slinking into the Baltimore cemetary where Poe is buried, and leaving French cognac and three roses on his grave in the middle of the night.

This happened every year for decades, with the identity of the so-called "Poe Toaster" a mystery. But one thing was certain - every year it was the same person.

Then, in 1993, the unknown visitor left a note that read "The torch will be passed," and a follow-up note indicated that the tradition of the Poe-Toaster had been passed onto the mysterious visitor's sons.

Last night, the note left on Poe's grave read, "The sacred memory of Poe and his final resting place is no place for French cognac," the note read. "With great reluctance but for respect for family tradition the cognac is place. The memory of Poe shall live evermore!"

It is believed that the Poe-Toaster was referring to to France's opposition to the war in Iraq.

About a dozen onlookers awaited the visitor expectantly on the momentous evening. He appeared at about 3 am on January 20, shrouded in night and a black hood, and placed the customary cognac and roses upon Poe's grave.