________________________________________________________________

During the morning of the next day, two officers of the Mery brigade, probably diverted by rumors, presented themselves at the house. One named Rigaumon questioned Father in an unpleasent tone, "Is it here that there was a suicide?" Father, having begged him to soften his manner, invited him to follow him to the dying man. Father preceeded the officers into the room, explained to Vincent that French law prescirbed in such cases an investigation, which the officers were coming to make. They entered, and Rigaumon, always in the same tone, questioned Vincent, "Is it you who wanted to commit suicide?"

"Yes, I believe so," answered Vincent in his usual soft tone.

"You know that you do not have the right."

Still in the same even tone, Van Gogh answered: "Officer, as I am a free being in this body, I am free to dispose if it as I please."
________________________________________________________________