"You shall see," said the Effendi. And turning to those within he uttered a phrase in Turkish, and presently Zubeydeh and a man came forward dragging something behind them. Marishka hid her face in her hands, and crouched nearer the corner where the armor was.
She saw Goritz suddenly start forward, his gaze upon the prostrate figure in black, which its bearers had deposited none too gently in the middle of the rug. Then he peered into the upturned face, starting upright and glaring at the Effendi.
"Vermalerdeiter Hällen——" he cried. "It's not the man!"
"What do you mean, Excellency?" cried the Beg.
"What I say—Idiots!"
"A Christian—in my Harim!" wailed the old ruffian. "He has ruined my furniture and killed my brother-in-law and my cousin."
"What do I care?" cried Goritz furiously. "You've got us all into trouble with your bungling. Do you know who this man is?" he stormed.
"Who, Excellency?" cried the Effendi.
"Nicholas Szarvas—the most famous secret service agent in Hungary."
"What say you, Excellency?" the Effendi asked bewildered.