“If I were to let you destroy your body, as you were so bent on doing, the strongest interest I have on earth would cease to exist.
“I love you, Barty, with a love passing the love of woman; and have done so from the day you were born. I loved your father and mother before you—and theirs; ça date de loin, mon pauvre ami! and especially I love your splendid body and all that belongs to it—brain, stomach, heart, and the rest; even your poor remaining eye, which is worth all the eyes of Argus!
“So I have used your own pen and ink and paper, your own right hand and brain, your own cipher, and the words that are yours, to write you this—in English. I like English better than French.
“Listen. Monsieur Noiret is a fool; and you are a poor self-deluded hypochondriac.
“I am convinced your right
