You are surrounded by spies. Cousrouf Pacha
is called away, and the ship lies in the harbor awaiting him. And do
you know what he told the captain who asked him if he would sail to-
day? He replied 'It is uncertain, it depends on circumstances not
entirely within my control.' Do you know what that means? He will
not sail until he has discovered and punished Masa, the runaway
slave, as he calls her. Do you know the nature of the punishment
administered to runaway female slaves, and to women who have been
guilty of infidelity to their masters?"
Mohammed shuddered. "By Allah, Osman, you do not mean to say that
the pacha would carry out here, with us, where the cruel laws of the
harem are unknown, the punishment administered to runaway female
slaves among the Turks?"
Osman nodded in assent. "You must know, Mohammed, that the
commander, now fully restored to the favor of the imperial majesty,
in Stamboul, has the right, wherever he may be, to punish his
slaves, that is, his property, as he pleases. To save her father,
Masa made herself his property. We, my father and I, were witnesses,
when she received the money, and when he said to her: 'Here is the
money you asked me for! I give it gladly, but you know what I give
it for, and you have agreed to the bargain!'"
"O unhappy woman!" groaned Mohammed.
"Be still, my Mohammed!" said Osman, in warning tones.
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