"Now," says the host, "that's just what ye'll have to do when you go up to the Konaki, to be, so to speak, presented at court. When you go visiting his excellency the pasha on any business, no matter how pressing it may be, you mustn't speak of it until the pipes and the coffee have been got through. You have only to observe this little customary bit of etiquette, and all will go on merrily as a marriage bell."
"Have you ever seen the pasha yourself?" asked Jack.
"Often."
"What's he like?"
"Every inch a gentleman."
This rather surprised them.
"Now let's come off, and you shall see over the Konaki."
CHAPTER LXIX.
THE JOYS OF THE SERAGLIO—A GROUP OF PEEPING THOMASES—THE CIRCASSIAN SLAVES—TINKER AND BOGEY ARE IN FOR IT—THE ALARM—ATTEMPTED RESCUE—AWAY WITH THEM—THE IRISHMAN TELLS A FEW WHITE ONES TO A PURPOSE.
The slipper merchant had selected a favourable moment for their visit to the Konaki.