dering it as they quickly descended the hill toward the
Golden Horn。 They were walking so fast； they’d already traveled half of the
muddy road that led down the snow…covered valley to Eyüp。 In the silent fog；
off to the left； the chimney of the Han？m Sultan Charity candleworks shop
happily piped up its smoke。 Under the shadow of the walls； there were
tanneries and the bustling slaughterhouses that served the Greek butchers of
Eyüp。 The smell of offal ing from these places had wafted over the valley；
which extended to the vaguely discernible domes of the Eyüp Mosque and its
cypress…lined cemetery。 After walking for a while longer； I heard from below
the shouts of children at play ing from the new Jewish quarter in Balat。
When we reached the plain where Eyüp was located； Butterfly approached
me； and in his usual fiery manner； abruptly broached his subject：
“Olive and Stork are the ones behind this vulgarity；” he said。 “Like everyone
else； they knew I had a bad relationship with the deceased。 They knew
everyone was aware of this。 There was jealousy between us； even open
animosity and antagonism； over who would assume leadership of the
workshop after Master Osman。 Now they expect the guilt to fall on my
shoulders； or at the least； that the Head Treasurer； and under his influence；
Our Sultan； will distance themselves from me； nay； from us。”
“Who is this ”us’ of which you speak？“
“Those of us who believe that the old morality ought to persist at the
workshop； that we should follow the path laid by the Persian masters；