October 20th, 1923, at seven o’clock in the evening, I 
entered Bony’s room, seated myself, then said: 
“Do not tell me that you are worse, Bony.” ne 
“No, I will not; contrariwise, Paty, I am no better. 
“But you look better.” 
“Oh, do not let my appearance deceive you.” : 
“Are not the externalities of a person caused by the inter- 
nalities of psychological circumstances, as far as the inter- 
pretation is concerned?” *. 
oo e ” 
“Well, then, that you look good without, you must be 
in the same state of goodness within.” : pS 
“I see, Paty, that you are somewhat a philosopher. 
“Exactly.” , : 
“Talk on, then, for I find you very interesting this eve- 
“Listen to me, then. You are now holding a book in 
your hand, which, being the life of Empress Josephine, you 
ave undoubtedly been reading?” 
“Exactly.”  aple 
“Have you received consolation from her life?” — 
“Yes, for I am very fond of her, and being greatly jealous 
of Bonaparte for not being his contemporary, SO that I cou 
have fought him a duel in her -honor.” aiid 
“Now, Bony, that you have admitted that you have enjoye 
reading said book, this enjoyment has something to do wit 
your contented externalities, does it not?” 
“To be a certainty; you win.” 
Here he discontinued talking to cough. : 
The book fell from his hand, his head, which was erect, 
for he was sitting in bed, also fell, and found its place on the 
pillow, while his face became pale and lifeless; his eyes 
closed slowly then opened excitedly, then closed again. See- 
ing all this, which happened in a few seconds, I said: 
“Bony, you must inform me of your sickness.” | 
“Surely, when I am dead,” said he, in a weak voice. 
“But when death has come, I can not do you any good. 
He now regained his strength, sat up, then asked: 
“How can you help me when I am dead?” 
“That is what I have said.” : 
“Listen, Paty, dear old friend, I am going to be dead 
within ten minutes. Before I pass away, I have a request 
which I want you to fulfill, the last wish of 2 dying man, 
the final desire of a friend, a brother, one who has been @ 
dear to me ever since our acquaintance. Said request fol- 
lows: In my top bureau drawer, in the left corner, there 's 
a small decorative box, within which you will find a letter 
55 
