"Mohammed, you are terrible!" murmured Osman, as he gazed with
amazement and anxiety into the eyes of his friend.

"You are right," whispered Cousrouf Pacha, aside; "this is a bold,
brave youth, and something can be made of him. He is ambitious and
daring. The time may come when he would be of use; I will try to win
him over to my interests."

Mohammed heard nothing more; he had already gone to the court-yard
and opened the door of the cage. He now ordered the soldiers to
conduct the prisoners inside the enclosure.

Calmly and silently they entered. Not one word had been uttered by
them since they left Praousta; with heads erect, and with proud
bearing, they entered their prison.

"Force conquers even the philosopher. He who feels himself in the
right is silent, and utters no complaint," so exclaimed the sheik in
a loud voice, as he was thrust inside the enclosure by the soldiers.
The ulemas bowed their heads and followed him. "Allah be praised,
and may the prophet look down in mercy upon the most insignificant
of his creatures!"

The door of their prison closed behind them; Mohammed took the key
and concealed it about his person. "Now," said he, "pray and
meditate upon your crimes and their punishment. I will myself make
known to the men of Praousta that they may find you here, and all
who wish can come to see you. It rests with you to tell the people
that they must submit to the law, or else bring your heads to the