What dire events had led to the summary execution of the beauty who had
just been carried out a corpse? Probably she had held brief sway over
His Majesty, ruling the land from her soft silken divan, until one of
her jealous sisters had, by intrigue, succeeded in displacing her in her
fickle lord's affections, and immediately the new favourite's influence
was sufficiently strong, she had used it to cause the death of her
discarded but troublesome rival.
Sitting in my little den, with the shutter half closed, I was trying to
picture to myself the scenes of brilliant festivity, of fierce hatred,
and merciless revenge that were ever occurring within those
zealously-guarded Courts of Love, when suddenly I heard Arabic spoken
softly quite close to the entrance to my workshop. Without stirring, I
listened with bated breath.
"But apparently thou dost not fully realise that, now the Sultana
Krenfla is dead, our power hath vanished," exclaimed a voice, the tones
of which I instantly recognised as those of the Grand Vizier.
"_Nakrifoh colloh_," replied his companion. "Thou art indeed right.
Well do I remember that when we were but janissaries at yon gate, we
conveyed messages for the pretty Krenfla to her lover, and sometimes
would allow her to secretly meet him. But he was killed in the war
against Awelimimiden, and then his mistress, having mourned for him many
days, devoted herself wholly to our lord the Sultan, and became Sultana.
In recognition of our services as Cupid's messengers, she caused our
advancement, you to be Grand Vizier of the Ahir, and I to be Chief of
the Eunuchs. But, alas! her sway hath ended, and consequently our
careers are abruptly cut short. To-morrow we too may lose our heads--
who knoweth?"
"True, O Amagay! unless Allah showeth us mercy, the death of Krenfla
sealeth our doom. If it pleaseth our lord the Sultan to fall under the
bewitching caresses of Khadidja, our degradation and dismissal will be
inevitable; while if Zobeide should secure the favour of Hamed, her
power will be immediately directed towards our decapitation. Long hast
thou held in the harem the lives of the houris in thine hands, and in
consequence thou art held in awe and hatred; while, to tell the truth,
I, as Grand Vizier, have ruled with the sword and bastinado, and the
people would rejoice could they see my head mounted on a spear in the
Azarmadarangh [place of execution]. But," His Excellency added with a
pause, "art thou convinced we shall not be overheard?"
"Quite," replied my master reassuringly, peering in at my half-open
shutter, but failing to detect me in the deep shadow. "Fear not
eavesdroppers here. In thine own pavilion the very walls have ears;
here, in the Court of the Eunuchs, it is different."
"Then it is thine opinion that we must act quickly if we would save our
heads?"
"_Ma akindana al-an wakt lilliakb_" ("We have no time to play at
present"), acquiesced the Chief of the Eunuchs.
"_Taakala challina nahn al-ithnine natahaddath showy-yah_," the Grand
Vizier said. Then, dropping his voice until I could scarcely catch his
words, he continued, "Viewed from all sides, our position is one of
extreme peril, therefore we must set ourselves to avert the disaster
which threateneth. The choice of the Sultan remaineth between Khadidja
and Zobeide, and even to-night one or other may secure His Majesty's
favour. In any case, our necks at this moment lie under the scimitar of
the executioner, therefore must we act swiftly, firmly, and in a manner
that showeth not mercy."
"But how? I can see no way of saving ourselves except by flight."
"Thy suggestion is impracticable. Such a course would condemn thee,"
interrupted the Grand Vizier. "Unless we could first secure the
contents of the treasury, flight would avail us nought, and even then we
should be overtaken ere we could get away to the Tsad. No; long have I
foreseen the downfall of Krenfla, and have evolved a scheme by which men
shall still abundantly utter the memory of our great goodness and sing
of our greatness."
"Thou hast? How?"
"Listen. My words are for thine ears alone," whispered the Grand
Vizier. "My opinion is that Hamed, our Sultan, hath ruled the Ahir for
sufficient time. Dost thou agree?"
"Yes," replied the Chief of the Eunuchs eagerly. "Art--art thou
thinking of his deposition?"
"Hath it never occurred to thee that his son, 'Abd-el-Kerim, who is
already in his twentieth year, is now fitted to rule?" he asked slowly.
"Once or twice I have reflected that the youth hath been always under
our tuition and influence, and that, trusting us as implicitly as he
doth, we should be absolute masters were he to reign in his father's
stead."
"Truly, O Amagay, thou hast wisdom. If we placed 'Abd-el-Kerim upon the
White Divan, I should most certainly remain Grand Vizier, while thou
mightest even secure a post more lucrative than Chief of the Eunuchs.
Instead of death, such an event meaneth for us increased wealth and the
retention of our power."
"But how dost thou propose to effect this sweeping change?" asked
Amagay, interested.
"Render me thine assistance, and the means are simple. Our Sultan Hamed
hath already ruled too long," exclaimed Mukhtar, adding, in a low,
intense voice, after a pause, the ominous words, "He must die--
to-morrow!"
"Dost thou then intend to assassinate him?" gasped the Chief Eunuch,
amazed at the bold daring of the high official's suggestion.
"Certainly. If he were thrown into prison, those who now bask in his
favours would raise a serious agitation for his release; whereas, once
dead, his memory will immediately be forgotten, and we shall hold the
fortunes of the Fada entirely in our own hands. Think, O Amagay, will
it not be better to act fearlessly, and by one sharp, decisive blow
attain increased riches and honour, than to remain inactive and fall
hapless victims to the hatred of those black-eyed doves in yonder cage
who would deliver us unto the sword. We must decide upon our policy
now--to-night."
"Hast thou the co-operation of any others in this thy daring scheme?"
asked his companion.
"Yes, the Chamberlain, and the Aga of the Janissaries have both promised
to bear their part; but thine own trusty, unerring scimitar must deliver
the death blow."
"No! no!" he cried in a low voice. "By the Prophet! I cannot strike.
My nerve would fail!"
"Bah! Didst thou not strike off the heads of rebellious houris by the
score; didst thou not for two years act as executioner in the Place of
Azarmadarangh, where heads fell under thy keen _doka_ every day? Surely
thou, of all men, hast courage with thy sword and confidence in thine
arm? A single blow, and the deed is done!"
"But suppose I fail?"
"Even then, our fate will be not one whit the worse than it is at this
moment," answered Mukhtar.
There was a short pause. Then Amagay, who had apparently become
convinced by the strength of his fellow-conspirator's argument,
answered--
"I agree with thee, O Mukhtar. Thy mouth uttereth wisdom. Only the
mighty Hamed's death can save us; so, if Allah willeth, my keen steel
shall strike the tyrant to the dust."
"Then we shall count upon thee," exclaimed the Grand Vizier, apparently
well pleased. "Hearken, and I will show thee how the removal of His
Majesty can be best accomplished. He hath sent information to the
Keeper of the Treasure that to-morrow, after the midday meal, it will
please him to repair unto the Treasury, in order to choose jewels to
present to his new favourite. The jewels of great price are to be laid
out for his inspection. On his way from the court to the Treasure House
he will be compelled to pass across the Great Hall of Audience and
through the long, dark passage that divideth that chamber from the Court
of the Treasury. In that passage are niches where one mayest remain
concealed, and it is there that thy steel must strike."
"But may not others accompany him?"
"Leave that unto me. After he hath eaten, I shall detain him in
conversation about certain pressing matters of state, so that his guards
will pass before him, and he will walk alone past the spot where thou
art secreted with thy companions, the Chamberlain and the Aga of the
Janissaries. Then wilt thou rush out, and in a second the Sultan Hamed
will be no more."
"Will not the guards rush back and kill us?" the Chief Eunuch asked
doubtfully.
"No. The conspiracy hath already been well planned in every detail.
When the tyrant falleth, the heads of Khadidja and Zobeide will be
struck off by thy guardians of the harem, and thus will the three
persons whose power threateneth us have disappeared, and so secretly
that not twenty of those within the Fada will be aware of the tragedy."
"Thou art indeed, O Mukhtar, a man of much foresight and one fitted to
rule," exclaimed Amagay, in admiration of the old villain's cunning.
"True, the Sultan Hamed is as a shadow betwixt us and the shining of the
sun, and he must be removed. In thee, upon whom the One Merciful hath
bestowed bounteous wisdom, I place my trust, and will assist thee in
placing upon the Great Divan 'Abd-el-Kerim, the Son of the Doomed. Thy
servant's scimitar shall strike this daring blow for liberty. Peace."
"Hush! Listen!" whispered the Grand Vizier in a tone of alarm. "One of
thy men approacheth from the harem. Let us part to allay suspicion. I
will await thee in my pavilion two hours after the sun hath arisen.
Until then, _slama_!"
A slight jingling of keys and softly-receding footsteps; then all was
quiet again.
Alone I sat for a long time reflecting upon the secret of the great plot
of which I had accidentally obtained knowledge. At noon the Sultan
Hamed, dreaded throughout Fezzan, Tripoli, and the Sahara as the most
powerful and tyrannical of rulers, would be struck down, and his son
proclaimed monarch, while the assassination would, no doubt, bring death
to many of the inmates of the harem. The palace was asleep, its
lotus-eating inmates little dreaming of the great _coup d'etat_ that had
been so cunningly planned, or of the startling sensation in store for
them. The black guardians of the harem stood silent and statuesque on
either side of its carved portals, and the dead silence of the Court of
the Eunuchs remained unbroken.
Enslaved as I was, my thoughts were always of liberty whereby I might
deliver Zoraida's message to the _imam_, and I now saw in this knowledge
of the attempt on the Sultan's life a means to regain my freedom.
Though excited over the discovery, I resolved to remain calm and act
judiciously, for I foresaw that any desire I might express to seek
audience of His Majesty would arouse suspicion among the conspirators.
Through that night I pondered deeply over the strange events of the past
few months, endeavouring time after time to convince myself that Zoraida
no longer lived. Yet my mind refused to accept any indistinct theory of
which I had not absolute proof. She had entrusted to me a mission in
which, alas! I had by sheer ill-luck failed, nevertheless I recollected
her earnest words when she had given the Crescent of Glorious Wonders
into my keeping, and it was more than possible, I argued, that the
_imam_ was daily expecting my arrival and wondering what mishap had
befallen me.
From him alone I could obtain the Great Secret, yet what would that
knowledge avail, now that I had lost the mysterious half-circle of
steel? Where was Zoraida? If alive, she would, I reflected, probably
be journeying with her people in the Great Desert, the all-powerful
prophetess of the most desperate band of fleet horsemen that ever rode
over the Sahara. She, the dazzling, mysterious Daughter of the Sun,
held in awe by the Ennitra, was possibly directing their marauding
expeditions, sharing the plunder with her own delicate fingers, and
causing death and desolation among neighbouring caravans; yet, when I
recollected how at heart she hated that life of rapine and murder, how
she shrank from the position in which, by some unaccountable combination
of circumstances, she was forcibly held, my blood rose within me. Had
she not acknowledged that she loved me? Were we not actually betrothed?
Truly, the Omen of the Camel's Hoof which I had ridiculed had been a
presage of impending evil that was gradually being fulfilled. Mystified
by the strange, weird rites that Zoraida had practised, fascinated by
her marvellous beauty, filled with admiration at the cool courage she
had displayed when saving my life, I had travelled steadily onward,
meeting misfortune with a smile and disregarding danger and fatigue,
until my capture. Then I knew that to declare myself a Christian would
mean certain death, so I had been compelled, much against my will, to
conceal my nationality and act as a devout follower of the Prophet until
an opportunity for escape should present itself. That opportunity, I
felt, was now at hand, and though the flush of dawn appeared, sleep came
not to my eyes, for I sat devising various schemes, one of which,
however wild and hazardous, it was imperative should be carried out
successfully before noon.
As the sun rose, and the great courts of the Fada grew animated, I
resumed my work, burnishing swords, spears, and shields until they shone
like mirrors, yet keeping an ever-vigilant eye upon the gate of the
harem, in case His Majesty should emerge. Unfortunately, the Sultan
seldom eared to pass outside his private apartments. Only once had I
seen him, and then only at a distance. To all save his high officers
and body-servants he was absolutely unapproachable. When he made a tour
of the palace,--which I learned was of very rare occurrence,--he was
surrounded by men-at-arms with drawn swords, and none dared address him
for fear of incurring his displeasure, which meant unceremonious
decapitation.
As the hours sped on, and the shade in the sunlit court grew smaller, I
began to consider all hope of averting the triple tragedy futile. Once
or twice, Amagay, a giant in stature, had passed and repassed with
heavy, thoughtful brow and arms folded under his burnouse, as if
preoccupied with the details of the widespread conspiracy, and my
astonishment was sudden when presently he entered my den, and, drawing
his splendid scimitar, the hilt of which was encrusted with jewels,
said--"This weapon hath no edge upon it. Sharpen it quickly. Whet it
upon thy stone."
With hands trembling with excitement, I took the great sword, such as
could only be wielded by one of enormous strength, and proceeded to
sharpen it as he commanded.
"Take thy time. Make the blade so keen that it will cut a single hair."
"Thy will be done, O lord Amagay," I answered, not daring to look up
lest my agitation should betray me, while the Chief of the Eunuchs lit a
cigarette, and, lolling against the door, watched me until I had
sharpened to a keen edge the scimitar that was to strike dead the Sultan
Hamed. Then, replacing the weapon in its scabbard, he settled the hang
of his burnouse and strode away.
By the shadows I became aware that the noon was nigh. I had sharpened
the assassin's weapon, yet I dared speak to no one of the foul plot
about to be carried out. For aught I knew, many of those around me were
implicated, and my confession that I had acted as eavesdropper would
certainly bring wrath upon me. If I could only see the Sultan, one word
could save him. But how?
Suddenly I conceived a most desperate plan. It seemed utter madness to
attempt it, yet, knowing that my liberty, my whole future, depended upon
frustrating the terrible _coup d'etat_, I was determined to risk
everything. There was little time to lose, so I set about my
preparations immediately. In my little den I had a canister half full
of gunpowder and about a dozen cartridges. Boring a hole through the
lid of the tin box, I placed the cartridges within, and, taking an old
piece of flexible hoop iron, I bound it tightly round the sides and ends
of the canister, taking care, however, to leave open the hole in the
lid. Thus the bomb was quickly constructed, and, placing it under the
bench at which I worked, I sprinkled a train of powder from it, and when
all was ready, I lit a rudely-constructed slow match.
Hurriedly ascertaining that the match was fairly alight, I left the
place, and, with my copper pitcher, lounged leisurely across to the well
close to the gate of the harem, as if to obtain water. Scarcely had I
gained the impassable portals when there was a bright flash, followed by
a terrific explosion that shook the palace to its very foundations,
wrecked my workshop, and tore up the masonry like pasteboard.
In an instant the most intense excitement and confusion prevailed. The
two guards at the door of the harem, almost taken off their feet by the
concussion, left their posts panic-stricken, and, with others who
emerged from the seraglio, rushed over to the scene to ascertain the
cause, while, in a few seconds, the court was filled by officials,
eunuchs, soldiers, and slaves.
The moment for which I had been waiting had arrived. The outer gate of
the harem was ajar, and while everybody was hurrying in alarm to the
spot where the explosion had occurred, I managed to slip inside
unobserved. Dashing along into the unknown region of the Fada, scarcely
daring to breathe and unaware of what armed resistance I might
encounter, I sped like lightning across a wide, tiled hall, where, to my
delight, I saw the second iron door was also half open. Passing this, I
crossed yet another similar hall, rather smaller than the first, and
leaped towards the third and last door. It was closed.
Grasping the great iron ring that served as handle, I tried to turn it,
but though I exerted all my strength until the veins stood knotted on my
forehead and the perspiration dropped from me, it would not yield. Fate
was against me--I was doomed to failure. The door was locked!