"What is thy name, worthy old man?" inquired Halil.
"My name is Manoli, your Excellency."
"Call me not Excellency! Dost thou not perceive from my raiment that I am nothing but a common Janissary?"
"Oh! I know thee better than that. Thou art Halil Patrona, whom may Allah long preserve!"
"Thou also dost seem very familiar to me. Thou hast just such a white beard as had Damad Ibrahim who was once Grand Vizier."
"I have often heard people say so, my master."
On arriving opposite the Zuleima Mosque, the boatman brought the skiff ashore. Halil pressed a golden denarius into the old man's palm, the old man kissed his hand for it.
Then for a long time Halil gazed into the old man's face.
"Manoli!"
"At thy command, my master."