Tombstone epitaph., 1915-06-13

| it is. provided that you take me fully into your confidence. l may be able to propose . bargain to you. I will en- gage to keep the affair a secret from every living soul. merely asking in re- turn that you will use your influence on behalf of French interests in the questions which are now under discus sion between the powers.'
 He heard me out with great atten- tion. looking at me all the while as if to ascertain how much really knew or suspected. When I had finished he observed:
 But suppose I tell you I am in reality as ignorant as yourself of the cause of this strange mutilation?'
 ''I returned a sarcastic smile. should answer that l myself am not altogether ignorant on the point. as you will perhaps believe when I show you this object. which I discov- cred under circumstances you will hardly ask me to explain
 And I produced the slipper. which I had brought with me from the em- bassy.
 "'When found this slipper I add ed. it contained a human foot | And this foot continued. with a stern glance. was rendered remarka- ble by certain deformity- | "'Ah,'
 l He sprang to his feet and clutched at his beard. while he paced the room with irregular strides. I watched him keenly. Presently he turned to me with a searching gaze.
 'Feringhee. can trust you'' he de- handed firmly. If tell you every thing. what security do you offer me for my life?'
 "'The honor of Frenchman.' re- piled with superb gesture.
 "It is enough,'
 And with those words he sank down upon a couch, exhausted by his agitation. Finally he recovered him self sufficiently to relate the circum- stances.
 "Mehemed Rushdi gave me the story, as nearly as l can recollcct it, in these words:
 "'You cannot be ignorant of the in- tense feeling which prevailed against Abdul-Aziz in this capital, feeling which Is sufficiently shown in the de- meanor of the mob since his death has been announced. But like most for eigners. you have perhaps attributed this feeling to political motives. The truth of the matter Is. however. differ ent-
 During the last years of his reign. the sultan was guilty of outraging his subjects in the Mussulman's most sa- cred feelings. He had acquired the custom of going out from his palace at night. dressed in some mean disguise. and wandering through the streets in search of adventures. In so far he may have proposed to himself the model of the caliph Of Bagdad. but un- li.'e Harun the just. his adventures wee all of certain kind.
 Although this was known to me. and ' had frequently rendered to him my respectful warnings on the sub ject, ' had. nevertheless. done my best to repress the seditions which his cen duo. continually provoked My col league in the ministry will bear wit ness that I have on all occasions stood between Abdul-Aziz and the conse Iuences of his folly. Had I listened to the solicitations which were addressed to me, he would have been dethroned long ago. But I was loyal to my mas ter. and up to last night had believed that he was not ungrateful.
 "A month or two ago I made an addition to my harem in the person of a Georgian lady. of distinguished birth and brilliant accomplishments. and who was. besides, strikingly beautiful. Knowing the disposition of the sultan. had imported her with the greatest precautions, through a merchant who is devoted to me, She was brought up the Golden Horn in a covered gal ley. and carried to my residence in a closely curtained litter. l carefully re- trained from boasting of my acquisi- ton to my friends. and warned Deka- poulous (the merchant to be equally silent.
 Having handed over my treasure to the care of my head eunuch, who possessed my entire confidence. I i'm agined myself secure. For some weeks. indeed. all went well. The Georgian was submissive and afectionate. and my wives were not unduly jealous of my new purchase.
 "'But at the end of this time be- gan to perceive a change in Zara's manner. She became exacting and naughty. and had frequent fits Of tenn per. in one of which she even threat ened to leave me. These words caused me the most profound alarm. I sus- pected that she had been approached from outside. and racked my brain to discover the manner in which had been betrayed.
 "'You know how things are when one is no longer able to depend on ones eunuchs. They are all fin a league together, and it requires torture to ar rive at the truth. I am naturally hu- } mane, and rather than resort to those ] cruel measures which are usual in , such cases. I resolved to employ strat-