"
Halil's cold collected bearing silenced, disarmed his enemies. The eyes
of the Grand Vizier and the Khan surveyed the ranks of the Janissary
officers, while Halil's faithful adherents began to assemble round their
leader.
"Then there is no answer to the words of Halil Patrona?" inquired
Kabakulak at last tentatively.
They were all silent.
"Have you no answer at all then?"
At this all the Janissaries arose, and one of them stepping forward
said:
"Halil is right. We agree with all that he has said."
The Grand Vizier did not know whether he was standing on his head or his
heels. Kaplan Giraj wrathfully thrust his sword back again into its
scabbard. All the Janissary officers evidently were on Halil Patrona's
side.
It was impossible not to observe the confusion in the faces of the chief
plotters; the well-laid plot could not be carried out.
After a long interval Kabakulak was the first to recover himself, and
tried to put a new face on matters till a better opportunity should
arise.
"Such important resolutions," said he, "cannot be carried into effect
without the knowledge of the Sultan. To-morrow, therefore, let us all
assemble in the Seraglio to lay our desires before the Padishah. You
also will be there, Halil, and you also, Kaplan Giraj."
"Which of us twain will be there Allah only knows," said Halil.
"There, my son, you spake not well; nay, very ill hast thou spoken. It
is a horrible thing when two Mussulmans revile one another.
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