第61部分(第2/7 页)

ts　of　the　workshop　like

the　back　of　his　hand。　Within　three　days；　if　you　fail　to　produce　that　swine　along

with　the　missing　page　he　stole—about　which　much　gossip　is　flying—it　is　Our

Just Sultan’s express desire that you； my child Black Effendi； be the first to

undergo　torture　and　interrogation。　Afterward；　let　there　be　no　doubt；　each　of

the　other　master　miniaturists　will　have　his　turn。”

I could detect no secret gestures or signs between these two old friends；

who’d worked together for years： Head Treasurer Haz？m Agha； who

missioned the work； and Head Illuminator Master Osman Effendi； who

received　the　funds　and　materials　through　him　from　the　treasury。

“Everyone knows； whenever a crime is mitted within Our Sultan’s

wards；　regiments　and　divisions；　that　the　entire　group　is　considered　guilty　until

one　among　them　is　identified　and　turned　in。　A　section　that　fails　to　name　the

murderer in its midst goes down in the judicial records as a ”division of

murderers；“　including　its　officer　or　master；　and　is　punished　accordingly；”　said

the　mander。　“Therefore；　our　Head　Illuminator　Master　Osman　will　keep　a

sharp watch； scrutinize each of the illustrations with his perating gaze；

uncover the devilry； ruse； mischief and instigation that has set the innocent

miniaturists at each other’s throats； and remand the guilty party to the

unwavering justice of the Refuge of the World； Our Sultan； thereby clearing

the　good　name　of　his　guild。　To　this　end；　we’ve　ordered　that　whatsoever　Master

Osman may require be granted to him。 My men ar