"
With that the Grand Vizier looked about him in search of someone to
escort him thither, when suddenly a kajkji leaped to his side and begged
that he might be allowed to lead the Grand Vizier to the Hall of
Execution.
This sailor-man had just such a long grey beard as the Grand Vizier
himself.
"How dost thou come to know me?" inquired Damad Ibrahim of the old man.
"Why we fought together, sir, beneath Belgrade, when both of us were
young fellows together."
"What is thy name?
"Manoli."
"I remember thee not."
"But I remember thee, for thou didst release me from captivity, and
didst cherish me when I was wounded."
"And therefore thou wouldst lead me to the executioner? I thank thee,
Manoli!"
All this was spoken while they were passing through the garden on their
way to the fatal chamber into which Manoli disappeared with the Grand
Vizier.
The Kizlar-Aga and the messengers of the insurgents waited till Manoli
came forth again. He came out, covering his face with his hands, no
doubt he was weeping. The Grand Vizier remained inside.
"To-morrow you shall see his dead body," said the Kizlar-Aga to the new
Reis-Effendi, and with that he sent him and his comrade back to Halil.
"We would rather have had them alive," said the ex-ciaus, so suddenly
become one of the chief dignitaries of the state.
That same evening Halil sent back Sulali with the message that the Chief
Mufti might go free.
The old man quitted his comrades about midnight, and day had scarce
dawned when he was summoned once more to the presence of the Grand
Seignior.
Pages:
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140