Page:Kéraban the Inflexible Part 1 (Jules Verne).djvu/19

Rh Van Mitten and Bruno were promenading upon the Top-Hané, and at the moment they reached the frrst bridge of boats which puts Galata in communication with the áncient Stamboul, a Turk rapidly turned the corner of the Mosque of Mahmoud and halted in the open space beyond it.

It was then six o'clock in the afternoon. For the fourth time that day the muezzins were mounting the minarets to call the people to prayer, and their voices were soon heard calling out the formula—"There is but one God, and Mahomet is His Prophet"

The Turk who had arrived so hastily upon the scene, turned about and gazed intently at the few passers-by. He then advanced to the meeting-place or axis of all the streets, with a view to obtain the greatest range in all directions. But the object of his quest had not appeared, and the Turk manifested considerable impatience.

"So Yarhud has not come," he muttered. "He knows he ought to have been here punctually at the appointed time!"

The Turk then took a few turns up and down the open space, and advanced as far as the northern angle of the barracks, whence he gazed in the direction of the cannon-foundry, as he stood tapping his foot upon the ground impatiently. Then he turned back again to the café at which Van Mitten and Bruno had vainly demanded refreshments. Here he seated himself at one of the empty tables, but was too careful to summon the waiter, for, being a scrupulous observer of the Ramadan, he knew the time