moment。　I　felt　no　pain；　I　was　simply　terrified。

Just　as　I　decided　from　the　silver　coin　in　my　pocket　that　they　weren’t　going

to　kill　me；　they　suddenly　released　me。　They　removed　the　viselike　contraption

that had actually done little damage to my head。 The executioner who’d

pinned　me　down　stood　up　without　even　a　hint　of　apology。　I　donned　my　shirt

and　vest。

There　passed　a　very　long　silence。

At the other end of the room； I saw Head Illuminator Osman Effendi。 I

went　to　him　and　kissed　his　hand。

“Don’t be concerned； my child；” he said to me。 “They were just testing

you。”

271

I　knew　at　once　that　I’d　found　a　new　father　to　replace　Enishte；　may　he　rest

in　peace。

“Our Sultan has ordered that you not be tortured at this time；” said the

mander。 “He deemed it appropriate for you to help Head Illuminator

Master　Osman　find　the　rogue　who’s　been　killing　His　miniaturists　and　the　loyal

servants preparing His manuscripts。 You have three days in which to

interrogate the miniaturists； scrutinize the illuminated pages they’ve made

and　find　the　sly　culprit。　The　Sovereign　is　quite　appalled　by　the　rumors　being

spread by mischief makers about His miniaturists and illuminated

manuscripts。　Both　the　Head　Treasurer　Haz？m　Agha　and　I　will　help　you　find　this

scoundr