the issue of style and signature。 If we actually mitted an

unpardonable sin by illustrating that book—as that half…wit had maintained

four days ago—even if we had done so unawares； Allah wouldn’t have

bestowed　this　favor　upon　us　miniaturists。

That night； when Elegant Effendi and I came here； the snow hadn’t yet

begun　to　fall。　We　could　hear　the　howling　of　mongrels　echo　in　the　distance。

21

“Pray；　for　what　reason　have　we　e　here？”　the　unfortunate　one　had　asked。

“What　do　you　plan　to　show　me　out　here　at　this　late　hour？”

“Just　ahead　lies　a　well；　twelve　paces　beyond　which　I’ve　buried　the　money

I’ve　been　saving　for　years；”　I　said。　“If　you　keep　everything　I’ve　explained　to　you

secret；　Enishte　Effendi　and　I　will　see　that　you　are　happily　rewarded。”

“Am　I　to　understand　that　you　admit　you　knew　what　you　were　doing　from

the　beginning？”　he　said　in　agitation。

“I　admit　it；”　I　lied　obligingly。

“You acknowledge the picture you’ve made is in fact a desecration； don’t

you？” he said innocently。 “It’s heresy； a sacrilege that no decent man would

have the gall to mit。 You’re going to burn in the pits of Hell。 Your

suffering　and　pain　will　never　diminish—and　you’ve　made　me　an　acplice。”

As　I　listened　to　him；　I　sensed　with　horror　how　his　words　had　such　strength

and　gravity　that；　willingly　o