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surprised at his question, because up to that moment I had only met the
X.foreign secretary but once. I replied that I would have no difficulty
whatsoever, but wished to know why I was supposed to see him. My friend
then told me that Ciano intended to entrust some documents to me.
Evidently he wanted to make a testimony for himself for future use, and
this testimony could- for different reasons not be given to an official j
ournalist connected with the government. He urged me to accept the
appointment and the following day at five o'clock in the afternoon, I
entered the house of Count Ciano.
CONTRADICTING DECISIONS
The Count received me very courteously and after exchanging a few words
as to the present situation, which could be considered extremely unstable,
he opened up a safe and drew forth some large papers saying: "This is my
diary, I will read it to You. Where do You want me to begin? Is it alright
if I start from August in 1939?". As I replied that I would be pleased,
the Count began to read. He had only read a few pages when he 'cut short
the reading and turned to me, looking me into the face. I think my readers
will understand my great amazement at the Count's words: "I ask You not to
make any comments. Surely, that which I have to say will make a most odd
impression upon You".
I listened with great interest as the Count read. That diary
was not so much a political document as a psychological one. In the summer
of 1939 Mussolini was almost completely mad: this according to the
testimony of his relative. If he had been in this state for any length of
time, I cannot tell, but it is probable, because the illness was already
in year