"Wait here, Osman," I said; returning to my host, I informed him of my difficulties.
"Oh! the dog!" exclaimed the Bey. "He is trying to cheat you!"
Tearing a piece of paper from an old letter in his pocket, he wrote a note to the chief of the police, desiring him to bring the postmaster immediately before us.
"The postmaster is in bed," said Osman, who had entered the room.
"In bed or out of bed, he shall be brought here," said the young Bey, stamping the piece of paper with his seal, he gave it to a servant. Presently a noise was heard. The postmaster arrived, followed by the chief of the police.
"You must give this English gentleman two horses at once."
"Yes, Bey Effendi."
"But why did you not do so before?"
"Because I did not know that it was the Bey's pleasure—the will of the son of our Pacha is my will. Upon my head be it; the horses shall come."
"Good horses," I remarked, "stout and strong."