Osman rises from his cushions.
"The time has come, we must warn him, we must help him! Be quick,
both of you!--Jabad, hasten to the summit of the rock. Here, take
the pistol and give the signal agreed upon, three shots fired at
short intervals.--But you, Nadeg, hasten down to the mouth of the
cave again, and when, aroused by my shots, my friend comes out, call
him, tell him I am awaiting him, and bring him to me at once. Oh, I
am anxious on his account: be quick, that you may get there in
time!"
The two walk stealthily and rapidly down the garden-path. Osman
listens to their retreating footsteps, and, as they die away in the
distance, he draws a breath of relief. They are good, zealous
servants, and will obey his instructions faithfully. He listens
again eagerly, and again looks over toward the harem, where be sees
the lights still flitting about and shadows passing the windows.
Osman's heart tells him that something unusual, something that bodes
no good to his friend, is going on there, and his love gives
strength to his poor, weak body. He rises from his cushions; his
limbs are stiff, and his breast pains him, but he is heedless of
this. Cautiously he descends the steps into the garden, and walks
noiselessly down the pathway. He knows that a high hedge separates
the garden of the harem from the rest of the park at the end of this
path.
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