Part 89 (1/2)

How dare he break into the women's quarters and then ask for mercy?

How dare he appeal to the Executioner, after betraying him to the Sultan?

Who was Hajji before the Executioner looked with favor on him?

A swine, an abomination picked out of the gutter.

A cur, a dog,--a-- He approaches Hajji.

Hajji hurries up the steps.

The Executioner is too quick, gets up after him and takes Hajji by the throat.

Doing so, he catches hold of the chain with the coin that Hajji stole from Sheikh (Act II, Scene 4.) Where did Hajji get this?

Hajji lies, saying it is his.

It has always been his.

Executioner produces the other half on a ma.s.sive gold chain.

Miraculous!

Hajji must be Executioner's father.

_H_. ”You--my son?”

_E_. ”Don't you remember?”

[This was altered so Executioner tells how he can just remember that Hajji tells the his father breaking a coin when they were Executioner all this. being attacked in the desert, before he, the See Act II, Scene 4, boy, was carried away by the Sultan's troops.

where the Sheikh gives _H._ ”You mean when I was--Sheikh?”

Hajji the facts.] _E._ ”Were you Sheikh or just a robber, then?”

_H._ ”Just a robber at the time--just a robber--And your mother--do you remember her?”

_E._ ”I have tried to often--Her name escapes me.”

_H._ Mentions name of first wife: ”Zeenab--whom I loved above all things.”

”Zeenab! That was her name!”

_H._ ”She had eyes like stars; and tall, she was tall like a poplar.

How wonderful is fate!

So you are her son!”

_E._ ”Your son.”

_Hajji, slowly eyeing him and taking the Executioner's chain._

_H._ ”And the halves fit! What a splendid chain! What a heavy chain! Heavier than mine.

You have prospered in life, my son--”

_E._ ”My father--”

_H._ ”Your father, yes. I am your father--Come to my arms.”

With that he takes the gold chain round the Executioner's neck and twists it till the Executioner chokes. Forces him down on his knees.

Then he pushes him backward into the bath.

Holds him under the water and drowns him. ”I killed the old rat! I'll kill his sp.a.w.n!

Blessed be Allah for this day of days.” He laughs wildly and exultantly.

_There is one more splash, then silence in the bath.

Knocking on the door left.

More knocking.

Then the door is broken open.

The Sultan enters with his Guard and Torchbearers, the old Woman No.

I. following._

_The Sultan._ ”Where is the woman? Where is Zira?

Search the Hareem!”

Some of the Soldiers cross into door right.