Page:Adventures of Baron Wenceslas Wratislaw of Mitrowitz (1862).djvu/166

 he meant by him, showing the money which my lord the ambassador had sent him, in order that he might permit him to erase or tear something out, saying that he would not do this for any presents, but that he had delivered to him (Synan Pasha) what he had found by search in the chancery, and humbly begging him to speak to the Emperor on his behalf, and obtain some favour for him.

The pasha without delay sent for German renegades, and had the documents translated into the Turkish language. Observing, however, that many of the chief officials, and the Sultana herself, were implicated, like an old fox, not wishing to fall into disfavour with the imperial ladies, for the Emperor’s mother and wife ruled everything, and did what they liked, he kept this to himself, made little noise about it, and only informed the Sultan that secret writings had been found in the chancery of the Viennese ambassador, whence thus much could be ascertained, viz. that the ambassador betrayed to the Viennese king everything that took place in the city. He, therefore, inquired of the Emperor what should be done further in the matter. The Sultan immediately placed my lord the ambassador, and all his people and servants, in the pasha’s hands, to do with them what he pleased. From this time forth they gave us no more food, save only bread and water, did not allow the clerk of the kitchen to go out to market for necessaries, and secured our house well with a guard, to prevent any one from going out of it. My lord the ambassador, expecting every hour great danger for himself and all of us, fell extremely ill with a quinsy, and did not leave his bed for some time. More