Damad Ibrahim pressed the writing to his forehead and his lips, and, after carefully reading it through, handed it back again, and taking from his finger the great seal of the Empire gave it to the Kizlar-Aga.
"May he who comes after me be wiser and happier than I have been," said he. "Greet the Sultan from me once more. And as for you, tell Halil Patrona that you have seen the door of the Hall of the Executioners close behind the back of Damad Ibrahim."
With that the Grand Vizier looked about him in search of someone to escort him thither, when suddenly a kajkji leaped to his side and begged that he might be allowed to lead the Grand Vizier to the Hall of Execution.
This sailor-man had just such a long grey beard as the Grand Vizier himself.
"How dost thou come to know me?" inquired Damad Ibrahim of the old man.
"Why we fought together, sir, beneath Belgrade, when both of us were young fellows together."
"What is thy name?
"Manoli."
"I remember thee not."
"But I remember thee, for thou didst release me from captivity, and didst cherish me when I was wounded."