bound to the old style； a fanatic about the coordination of color
between gilding and illustration； and in the presence of Master Osman； he
would； for instance； point out the nonexistent faults of other miniaturists—
mine in particular—with gentle conceit。 His last quarrel had to do with an
issue about which Master Osman had； in past years； grown quite sensitive：
royal miniaturists who moonlighted； secretly accepting trivial missions
outside the auspices of the palace。 In recent years； after Our Sultan’s interest
had begun to wane and； along with it； the money ing from the Head
Treasurer； all the miniaturists started paying visits to the two…story houses of
the crass young pashas—and the best of the artists would go late at night to
visit Enishte。
I wasn’t at all bothered by Enishte’s decision to stop working on his—on
our—book or his excuse that it was ill…omened。 He had； of course； guessed
that the murderer who did away with brainless Elegant Effendi was one of us
who were embellishing his book。 Put yourself in his shoes： Would you invite a
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murderer to your house each fortnight to work on illustrations after dark？
Wouldn’t you first determine the identities of the murderer and the best
illustrator？ I have no doubt that he’ll quickly deduce which of the miniaturists
was the most talented and the most skilled in color selection； gilding； page
ruling； illustration； face drawing and page position； and having done so；
he’ll continue working with me alone。 I can’t imagine he’ll be so petty as to
th