It was impossible not to observe the confusion in the faces of the chief plotters; the well-laid plot could not be carried out.
After a long interval Kabakulak was the first to recover himself, and tried to put a new face on matters till a better opportunity should arise.
"Such important resolutions," said he, "cannot be carried into effect without the knowledge of the Sultan. To-morrow, therefore, let us all assemble in the Seraglio to lay our desires before the Padishah. You also will be there, Halil, and you also, Kaplan Giraj."
"Which of us twain will be there Allah only knows," said Halil.
"There, my son, you spake not well; nay, very ill hast thou spoken. It is a horrible thing when two Mussulmans revile one another. Be reconciled rather, and extend to each other the hand of fellowship! I will not allow you to fight. Both of you spoke with good intentions, and he is a criminal who will not forget personal insults when it is a question of the commonweal. Forgive one another and shake hands, I say."
And he seized the reluctant hands of both men and absolutely forced them to shake hands with each other. But he could not prevent their eyes from meeting, and though swords were denied them their glances of mutual hatred were enough to wound to the death.
After the council broke up, Halil's enemies remained behind with the Grand Vizier. Kaplan Giraj gnashed his teeth with rage.
"Didn't I tell you not to let him speak!" he exclaimed, "for when once he opens his mouth he turns every drawn sword against us, and drives wrath from the breasts of men with the glamour of his tongue."
So they had three days wherein to hatch a fresh plot.
The session of the Divan was fixed for three days later. Halil Patrona employed the interval like a man who feels that his last hour is at hand. He would have been very short-sighted not to have perceived that judgment had already been pronounced against him, although his enemies were still doubtful how to carry it into execution.
He resigned himself to his fate as it became a pious Mussulman to do. He had only one anxiety which he would gladly have been rid of--what was to become of his wife and child.
On the evening of the last day he led Gül-Bejáze down to the shore of the Bosphorus as if he would take a walk with her. The woman carried her child in her arms.