Then the chief imam fell down in the dust before him, and said in a humble voice: 

“Listen not, O Halil, to the words of my companion.  The Padishah humbly implores you for his life and the lives of his children.”

Halil wrinkled his brow and exclaimed angrily: 

“Rise up, Ulema, grovel not before me in the name of the Sultan.  Those who would slay him deal not half so badly with them as thou who dost humiliate him.  Sulali is right.  The Sultan is capable of great deeds.  I know that the cellars of the Seraglio are full of gunpowder, and I would not that the blossoms of the Sheik-ul-Islam and the descendants of the Prophet should perish.  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.

Half an hour later, accompanied by Elhaj Beshir, Prince Mahmud arrived.  He was the son of Mustapha II., who had renounced the throne in favour of Achmed just as Achmed was now resigning the throne in favour of Mahmud.

The Sultan arose, hastened towards him, embraced him, and kissed him on the forehead.

“The people desire thee to ascend the throne.  Be merciful to my children just as I was merciful to thy father’s children.”

Sultan Mahmud did obeisance to his uncle, and seizing his hand, as if it were worthy of all honour, reverently kissed it.

Then Achmed beckoned to his sons, and one by one they approached Mahmud, and kissed his hand.  And all the time the Ulemas remained prostrate on the ground around them.