A Fatal Disorder

by Ambrose Bierce

　　A DYING Man who had been shot was requested by officers of the law to make a statement, and be quick about it."You were assaulted without provocation, of course," said the District Attorney, preparing to set down the answer."No," replied the Dying Man, "I was the aggressor.""Yes, I understand," said the District Attorney; "you committed the aggression - you were compelled to, as it were. You did it in self-defence.""I don't think he would have hurt me if I had let him alone," said the other. "No, I fancy he was a man of peace, and would not have hurt a fly. I brought such a pressure to bear on him that he naturally had to yield - he couldn't hold out. If he had refused to shoot me I don't see how I could decently have continued his acquaintance.""Good Heavens!" exclaimed the District Attorney, throwing down his note-book and pencil; "this is all quite irregular. I can't make use of such an ante-mortem statement as that.""I never before knew a man to tell the truth," said the Chief of Police, "when dying of violence.""Violence nothing!" the Police Surgeon said, pulling out and inspecting the man's tongue - "it is the truth that is killing him."