Behold, I am ready, and my comrades also, to
swear on the Alkoran to do no harm either to Sultan Achmed, or his sons,
or his daughters, or his daughters' husbands. Whosoever shall raise his
hand against them his head I myself will cut in twain, and make the
avenging Angels of Allah split his soul in twain also, so that each half
may never again find its fellow. Go back and peace rest upon Achmed."
Sulali flew back with the message, but Ispirizade hastened to the Aja
Sophia mosque to give directions for the enthronement of the new Sultan.
Meanwhile Achmed had assembled his sons around him in the cupolaed
chamber, and sitting down on the last step of the throne made them take
their places round his feet, and awaited the message which was to bear
the issues of life and death.
Sulali entered the room with a radiant countenance, carrying in his hand
the copy of the Alkoran, on which Halil and his associates had sworn the
oath required of them. He laid it at the Sultan's feet.
"Live for ever, oh, Sultan!" he cried, "and may thy heart rejoice in the
prosperity of thy children!"
Achmed looked up with a face full of gratitude, and thanked Allah, the
Giver of all good and perfect gifts.
His children embraced him with tears in their eyes, and Achmed did not
forget to extend his hand to Sulali, who first raised it to his forehead
and then pressed it to his lips.
Then Achmed sent the Kizlar-Aga for Sultan Mahmud, surnamed "the White
Prince," from the pallor of his face, to summon him to his presence.
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