e to knee looking at pictures。
Unbelievable； His Excellency Our Sultan was now sitting where I’d been earlier
and He was listening attentively to what my master was explaining； as I had
done。 The Head Treasurer； who was at his side and the Agha of the Falconers
and a few others whose identities I couldn’t make out were keeping close
guard over Him and gazing at the open pages of books with rapt attention。 I
gathered all my courage and looked at length at the face and eyes of the
Sovereign Ruler of the World； albeit with a sidelong glance。 How handsome He
was！ How upright and proper！ My heart no longer beat excitedly。 At that
moment； our eyes met。
“How much I loved your Enishte； may he rest in peace；” He said。 Yes； He
was speaking to me。 In my excitement； I missed some of what He was saying。
“…I was quite aggrieved。 Hofort to see that each of
these pictures he made is a masterpiece。 When the Veian giaour sees these；
he will be stunned and fear my wisdom。 You shall determine who the accursed
miniaturist is by this horse’s nose。 Otherwise； however merciless； it’ll be
necessary to torture all the master miniaturists。”
“Sovereign Refuge of the World Your Excellency My Sultan；” said Master
Osman。 “Perhaps we can better catch the man responsible for this slip of the
brush； if my master miniaturists are forced to draw a horse on a blank sheet of
paper； quickly； without any story in mind。”
“Only； of course； if this is really a slip of the brush and not an actual nose；”
said Our Sultan shrewdly。
296
“My Sultan；” said Master Osman； “to this