et t illuminated tan, tion of tered the room.

    Master Osman confessed to   been able to determine anytrations. Nevert refrain from draan’s attention to t paintings: te stance of t and, in ty and pride matcent of ancient books. Mean  ure, and to door to tists’  Master Osman said.

    “My Sovereign, don’t be surprised t I knoers like ter. “ beer miniaturist s origins.”

    “You mean to say?” said Our Sultan.

    “Your Excellency, Prosperous Sultan and Refuge of ture, evident rils of tnut  simply take of a painter, but a sign ant past to otures, otecyles and pero examine turies-old books t You keep under lock and key in ts, and cabinets of treasury, ify as tec ake; ttribute it to turists.”

    “You er my treasury?” said tan in amazement.

    “t is my wiser.

    t as brazen as asking to enter t tood t in as mucreasury occupied ttiest spots in tyard of te Paradise of Our Sultan’s Palace, t spots in Our Sultan’s .

    I rying to read iful face,  urists as a er’s impudence?

    Looking at t I iful attributes, t

    o e distant world.

    I t just as being taken into t of t serving Our Sultan and perurist meant serving God and dying for ty.

    Mucer, e, deat, as I passed te ed as if t even see us. terday  o affect me in t, for I kne aken furto t of Our Sultan’s secret o te Quarters of the Enderun.

    e passed to tered a fairy tale, I kept my eyes trained on to avoid coming face-to-face ures t mig me. I couldn’t even look at tan  my gaze o f