the death to him before anyone else。 To this end； I sought out an upholsterer； a
relative on my late father’s side； who’d worked in the tailors’ work stalls
opposite Coldfountain Gate ever since I was a child。 When I found him； I
kissed his mottled hand and explained imploringly that I needed to see the
Head Treasurer。 He had me wait among his balding apprentices who were
sewing curtains； doubled over the multicolored silk spread over their laps；
then； he had me follow a head tailor’s assistant who； I learned； was going to
the palace to take measurements。 When we climbed up to the Parade Square
through Coldfountain Gate I knew I’d be able to avoid passing the workshop
opposite the Hagia Sophia； and thus； I was spared from announcing the crime
to the other miniaturists。
244
The Parade Square seemed abustle now； whereas it usually seemed empty to
me。 Though there wasn’t a single person at the Petitioner’s Gate； before which
petitioners would line up on days when the Divan convened； nor anyone in
the vicinity of the granaries； it was as if I could hear a continuous din
emanating from the windows of the sick house； from the carpenters’
workshop； the bakery； the stables； the grooms with their horses before the
Second Gate （whose spires I looked upon with awe） and from among the
cypresses。 I attributed my sense of alarm to the fear of passing through the
Gate of Salutation； or Second Gate； which I would soon be doing for the first
time in my life。
At the gate； I could neither focus my