* The smell: The story repeatedly mentions a "smell" coming from Miss Emily's house, described as "like the smell of dust and old wood." This smell is a constant reminder of the decay and secrets hidden within the house, setting a sense of unease and foreboding.
* The locked room: Miss Emily forbids anyone from entering the upstairs room after the death of her father, suggesting a hidden truth or secret within. This locked room becomes a symbol of isolation and the darkness residing in Miss Emily's life.
* The mysterious "odor" after Homer Barron's disappearance: After Homer's disappearance, the townspeople notice a new, stronger, and more pungent "odor" emanating from Miss Emily's house. This odor, likely from the decaying body of Homer, foreshadows the chilling reality of the locked room.
* The purchase of arsenic: Miss Emily's purchase of arsenic, a potent poison, fuels the town's suspicion. While it's not explicitly stated that she used it to kill Homer, the connection to the locked room and the "odor" heavily suggests it.
* Miss Emily's isolated and eccentric behavior: Her refusal to pay taxes, her hoarding of Homer's belongings, and her overall withdrawn nature point towards her unstable mental state and her willingness to live in a world of her own making, even if it requires extreme actions.
The story doesn't explicitly reveal the skeleton's existence until the end. Instead, the subtle hints and details build suspense and anticipation, leaving readers to connect the dots and piece together the tragic narrative. The foreshadowing helps create a chilling and memorable story, highlighting the chilling consequences of obsession and isolation.