You refuse it, and your refusal is
an insult to us, the servants of our holy religion, and the
representatives of the people. Here, we have therefore nothing more
to say or to do. Nothing is left us but to depart and repair to the
mosque of El-Azar, where the head of the martyr Sel-Kosyn is buried.
There we will gather the people about us and decide as justice shall
require.--Come, ye sheiks, let us go to the mosque!"
"Do so!" cried Cousrouf, haughtily. "But, let me tell you this: if
you excite the people to revolt, my cannon shall thunder among you!
You will be responsible for the consequences."
They made no reply, but turned and left the apartment.
CHAPTER VII
MONEY! PAY!
Without in the vestibule they met Mustapha, the guardian of the
revenues of the holy temple of Mecca. Beside him stood several of
the leading citizens of Cairo. They had come to settle amicably, if
possible, the grave difficulty between the viceroy and the sheiks.
"Do not let it come to extremes, cadi," said the oualy, in warning
tones. "You know the viceroy is very powerful, and his fierce
soldiers take delight in slaughter."
"No, do not let it come to extremes," said the others, joining in
his entreaty. "Consider that they are strong, and we are weak."
"No we are strong, for we are in the right," said the cadi. "We
cannot allow justice to be set at defiance, and the noblest of the
women of Cairo to be shamefully insulted.
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