Sultan. "He has only to make them known."
Interpreter. "His Majesty will do all Your Excellency desires."
Minister. "First then, Your Majesty, there is the little affair of the Greek who was murdered last year at Azîla. I am sure that I can rely on an indemnity for his widow."
Interpreter. "The Minister speaks of the Greek who was murdered—by your leave, yes, my Lord—at Azîla last year: yes, my Lord. The Ambassador wishes him to be paid for."
Sultan. "How much does he ask?"
This being duly interpreted, the Minister replied—
"Thirty thousand dollars."
Sultan. "Half that sum would do, but we will see. What next?"
Interpreter. "His Majesty thinks that too much, but as Your Excellency says, so be it."
Minister. "I thank His Majesty, and beg to bring to his notice the imprisonment of a Greek protégé, Mesaûd bin Aûdah, at Mazagan some months ago, and to ask for his liberation and for damages. This is a most important case."