The curtains covering the doors of the Porcelain Chamber bulged out,
and immediately afterwards two men entered. They advanced to the steps
of the Sultan's throne, knelt down there, and kissed the hem of the
Sultan's garment.
Mahmud was sitting on his throne, the same instant Kabakulak clapped his
hands and cried:
"Bring in their kaftans!"
At these words out of the adjoining apartment rushed Pelivan and the
thirty-two Janissaries with drawn swords.
Mahmud hid his face so as not to see what was about to happen.
"Halil! we are betrayed!" exclaimed Musli, and placing himself in front
of his comrade he received on his own body the first blow which Pelivan
had aimed at Halil.
"In vain hast thou written thy name above mine, Patrona," roared the
giant, waving his huge broadsword above his head.
At these words Halil drew forth from his girdle a dagger which he had
secreted there, and hurled it with such force at Pelivan that the sharp
point pierced his left shoulder.
But the next moment he was felled to the ground by a mortal blow.
While still on his knees he raised his eyes to Heaven and said:
"It is the will of Allah."
At another blow he collapsed, and falling prone breathed forth his last
sigh:
"I die, but my son is still alive."
And he died.
Then all his associates were brought into the Sofa Chamber one by one
from the Erivan kiosk where they had been robed in splendid kaftans, and
as they entered the room were decapitated one after the other.
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