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"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.
"They demand that the Kiaja Beg be handed over to them." The Kiaja suddenly grew paler than a wax figure. "Such a faithful old servant as he has been to me too," sighed Achmed. "Well, well, hand him over, and now I hope they will be satisfied." With tottering footsteps the Kiaja stepped among the bostanjis. "They demand yet more," said Sulali. "What! more?" "They demand the Kapudan Pasha."
He had not sufficient strength of mind to endure the gaze of the Sultan till Sulali should return. Far rather would he go with him also to the rebels. Besides they already understood each other very well. The envoys found Halil sitting under his tent in the Etmeidan. Sulali drew near to him and delivered the message of the Sultan. But he did not deliver it in the words of Achmed.
Sulali returned to the Seraglio. "Halil permits the Chief Mufti to live, but he demands death for the three others," said he. At these words Achmed sprang from the divan like a lion brought to bay and drew his sword. "Come hither, then, valiant rebels, as ye are!" cried he. "If you want the heads of my servants, come for them, and take them from me.
Many of them began to nudge Sulali, who stood up as if to speak, but immediately sat down again without opening his mouth. "Speak, I pray you! I have not called you hither to look at me and at one another, but to give answers to my questions." And still the Ulemas kept silence.
We demand the delivery to us of the four arch-traitors who have brought disaster upon the realm. They are the Kul Kiaja, the Kapudan Pasha, the Chief Mufti, and the Grand Vizier." Sulali fell to shaking his head. "You ask much, Halil!" "I ask much, you say. To-morrow I shall ask still more. If you agree to my terms, to-morrow there shall be peace.
Slay them, too, for faults which I myself have committed faults against which they wished to warn me? Why, their blood would cry to Heaven against me. Go back, Sulali, and say to Halil that I beg, I implore him not to insist that these two grey heads shall roll in the dust. Let it suffice him if they are deprived of their offices and banished from the realm, for indeed they are guiltless.
Achmed gazed darkly, doubtfully upon the Ulema, and his face wore an expression of repressed despair. Sulali had compassion on the Sultan. "I will go to them," he said reassuringly; "remain here, oh, my master, till I return. Of a truth I tell thee that I will not come back till they have sworn to do what thou desirest." And now Ispirizade said that he also would go with Sulali.
As for the unbelieving giaours at present residing at Stambul, let them remain in peace at home, for those who do not stir abroad will have no harm done to them. And this I announce to you in the names of Halil Patrona and Hassan Sulali."
Entreat him, also, for the Kiaja and the Kapudan; they shall not be surrendered until you return." Again Sulali sought out Halil. He durst not say a word concerning the Kiaja and the Kapudan. He knew that it was the Kapudan who had seized upon Halil's wife when she was attempting to escape by sea, and that it was the Kiaja who had had her shut up in the dungeon set apart for shameless women.
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