“At last they came to a definite decision concerning this slave-girl, it was resolved to sell her by public auction in the bazaars—­to sell her as a common slave to the highest bidder.  And so Irene fell to a poor hawker who gave his all for her.  For a whole month this man left his slave-girl untouched, and the girl who could not be subdued by torture, nor the blandishments of great men, nor by treasures, nor by ardent desire, became very fond of the poor costermonger, and no longer became as one dead when his burning lips were impressed upon her face.”

And with that Guel-Bejaze embraced her husband and kissed him again and again, and smiled upon him with her large radiant eyes.

“A very pretty story truly!” observed Musli, smacking his lips; “what a pity there is not more of it!”

“Oh, no regrets, worthy Mussulman, there is more of it!” cried the Berber-Bashi, rising from his place; “just listen to the sequel of it!  Having had the girl sold by auction in the bazaar, the Padishah bade Ali Kermesh, his trusty Berber-Bashi, make inquiries and see what happened to the damsel after the sale.  Now the Berber-Bashi knew that the girl had only pretended to faint, and the Berber-Bashi brought the girl back to the Seraglio before she had spent a single night alone with her husband.  For I am the Berber-Bashi and thou art Guel-Bejaze, that same slave-girl going by the name of Irene who feigned to be dead.”

Everyone present leaped in terror to his feet except Janaki, who fell down on his knees before the Berber-Bashi, embraced his knees, and implored him to treat all that the girl had said as if he had not heard it.

“We are lost!” whispered the bloodless Guel-Bejaze.  The intoxication of joy and wine had suddenly left her and she was sober once more.

Janaki implored, Musli cursed and swore, but Halil spake never a word.  He held his wife tightly embraced in his arms and he thought within himself, I would rather allow my hand to be chopped off than let her go.

Janaki promised money and loads of treasure to Ali Kermesh if only he would hold his tongue, say nothing of what had happened, and let the girl remain with her husband.

But the Berber-Bashi was inexorable.

“No,” said he, “I will take away the girl, and your treasures also shall be mine.  Ye are the children of Death; yea, all of you who are now drawing the breath of life in this house, for to have heard the secret that this slave-girl has blabbed out is sufficient to kill anyone thrice over.  I command you, Irene, to take up your veil and follow me, and you others must remain here till the Debedzik with the cord comes to fetch you also.”

With these words he cast Janaki from him, approached the damsel and seized her hand.  Halil never once relaxed his embrace.

“Come with me!”

“Blessed Mary!  Blessed Mary!” moaned the girl.

“Your guardian saints are powerless to help you now, for your husband’s lips have touched you; come with me!”