But I entreat you, come
without your great suite--it might be wrongly interpreted. I mean
well with you; I am your friend. Do not come with your body-guard,
sarechsme."
"We two should understand each other better," replied Mohammed,
smiling derisively. "You tremble for me. I thank you, but see, I am
not trembling at all myself. He who pursues an honest course and is
faithful to his master and his service, has no occasion to tremble.
This you shall see, for I intend to go to the viceroy entirely
alone. Only my men shall at least know where I have gone, that is
all. Come!"
With a haughty smile, the defterdar following, he descended the
broad stairway of his palace, and cordially greeted the soldiers
standing about the gateway, who received him with shouts of joy.
"Be patient, my friends, I entreat you, be patient, and await my
return. I will return in an hour; wait here for me that long. Should
I not return by that time, seek me."
The defterdar, who hears every word of this, murmurs to himself: "It
will be necessary to acquaint his highness with this, that he may be
on his guard, and not detain the sarechsme in his fortress too long.
The consequences might be dangerous."
In humble terms he begs to be permitted to hasten in advance to
announce his coming to the viceroy. The sarechsme assents with a
gracious inclination of the head, and smiles benignantly on the
finance minister.
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