"
"No, lord and master, we know of nothing else."
"But the one thing, the most important, tell me: where did the
boulouk bashi pass the night?"
"Master, we believe he passed it in his house."
"You only believe it? This night you must know. But take notice of
this: Be careful not to injure himself or his property. His person
and his property shall not be touched this I have sworn. Yet know
this: If you do not tell me tomorrow morning where the boulouk bashi
has passed the night, you shall both receive the bastinado, and
after such a fashion that you will find walking anything but
pleasant, and yet I will have you driven through the city in search
of the information you are so slow in getting."
With a gesture of the hand he motioned to them to leave the room,
and they withdrew as they had entered, on their knees. After closing
the door behind them, they jumped hastily to their feet.
"The bastinado! Did you hear?" asked the one, "We must find out at
every cost where the boulouk bashi passes the night. But how can we?
We are neither to injure his property, nor to touch him or what
belongs to him. We are not allowed to open his door or break into
his house; what are we to do?"
"I have thought of something," said the other. "Come, I will tell
you. Let us get everything ready."
Dark clouds covered the heavens, shutting out the light of the moon
and stars, and night sank down over the earth earlier than usual.
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