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HELAINE 
 
WITHIN THE GATES 
 OF YILDIZ 
 
 A Play in Five Acts 
 
 BY 
 
 JULIEN L. ERODE 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 THE GORHAM PRESS 
 1917 
 
Copyright, 191 7, by Juuen L. Erode 
 
 All Rights Reserved 
 
 
 The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 
 
 MAR -9 1917 
 
 ©CID 48390 
 
TO 
 
 MY FATHER AND FRIEND 
 
 F. W. ERODE 
 
PREFACE 
 
 "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" 
 
 During my sojourn at Constantinople, as 
 Special Agent for the Department of Com- 
 merce and Labor (now the Department of 
 Commerce), I met many of the characters 
 mentioned in this play. Most of them are 
 still alive, and many are now taking an 
 active part in the making of Turkish history. 
 
 Naturally, there is some fiction in the play. 
 It could hardly be otherwise and be a play, 
 but most of the events portrayed actually 
 occurred; perhaps, not exactly in the order 
 given, but, in the development of the plot, 
 very little imagination on my part had to 
 be used. 
 
 The events which led up to the dethrone- 
 ment of the Old Sultan were dramatic in 
 extreme, and formed, to my mind, a fitting 
 climax to a stirring story — or play. Origi- 
 nally, I intended to write "Within the Gates 
 of Yildiz" in the form of a novel, as much 
 more in this way could have been brought out 
 5 
 
6 Preface 
 
 regarding the Young Turk Movement, and 
 the almost bloodless revolution — a truly won- 
 derful one — that followed, and that so upset 
 the old order in Turkey. However, in ar- 
 ranging the plot, the theme came to my mind 
 more easily in the form of a play. Perhaps 
 I have tried to crowd into the play so much 
 that, from a producer's standpoint, I de- 
 tracted from its value as a production possi- 
 bility, but I did not care to shorten it by 
 eliminating scenes and discourses that would 
 leave out important developments in the 
 revolution that it was my wish to portray. 
 
 After reading the play, one has an idea 
 as to the meaning of the Young Turk Move- 
 ment, the Committee of Union and Prog- 
 ress; also, an insight into the character of 
 the Old Sultan; life within the Royal 
 Harem; the spy system; the Selamilik, or 
 the royal ceremony of worship; Turkish cus- 
 toms in general, and the inside workings of 
 Turkish politics — all of which are real. 
 Even that part of the play which may^ be 
 fiction is asserted to be true by the couriers 
 of Constantinople, any one of whom can 
 take you to the very wall of Dolma Bagtche 
 Palace over which Helaine, our heroine, es- 
 caped, and point with local pride to the line in 
 the wall showing where a new wall has been 
 built on top of the old wall, raising the old 
 
Preface 7 
 
 wall by some ten feet, and tell you this was 
 done to prevent further girls' escaping. 
 
 Your courier will even relate to you the 
 story that mine did to me — how a young 
 French girl who had been kidnaped by the 
 Sultan's agents, and who had been incar- 
 cerated in Dolma Bagtche, had made a 
 thrilling escape at this spot one dark and 
 gloomy night; how she had climbed the wall 
 and was fired upon by the guards from 
 within as she jumped to the ground outside; 
 how in the darkness and in great pain and 
 with both ankles sprained she had climbed 
 on her hands and knees through the bushes 
 and over rough rocks, up the rugged hill- 
 side — with soldiers, eunuchs and dogs hot 
 on the trail, until faint from exhaustion, she 
 at last reached the top of the hill, and ar- 
 rived at the French Embassy and to safety. 
 
 Is this not the kind of material that makes 
 thrills run up and down your spinal cord 
 when you see it across the foothghts? — I 
 leave it to you, gentle reader. 
 
 The Author. 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Helaine Frontispiece 
 
 FACING PAGE 
 
 Ahmediyeh Mosque, on the Bosphorus, is fre- 
 
 qtjently visited by the sultan . . .56 
 
 YiLDiz Palace and Hamidieh Mosque ... 92 
 
 Galata Bridge 98 
 
 DoLMA Bagtche Palace 124 
 
"WITHIN THE GATES OF YILDIZ" 
 
 A Romantic, Historical and Military 
 
 Drama in Five Acts. Scene Laid 
 
 in Constantinople 
 
The Characters, in the order of their 
 appearance. 
 
 MizzET Pasha — A close friend of the 
 Sultan, and the head of the palace 
 Camarilla. 
 
 HiLMAT Pasha — Grand Visor, and a secret 
 member of the Liberal Union Party. 
 
 Habdul Amid — The Sultan of Turkey. 
 
 Saadi Bey — Master of Ceremonies at the 
 Yildiz Kiosh. 
 
 Mess. Bideleux and Toriont — Members 
 of a powerful band of Continental 
 blackmailers and kidnapers. 
 
 Helaine Periot — Beautiful daughter of a 
 French nobleman and diplomat. 
 
 Raymond McKensie — Charge d'Affaires 
 and First Secretary of the American 
 Embassy at Constantinople. 
 
 Emvers Bey — Minister of War, and one of 
 the Young Turks. 
 
 Ahmed Bey — Minister of Interior. 
 
 IsMED Pasha — Minister of Finance. 
 
 Talat Bey — Minister of Marine. 
 
 KiANiL Pasha — Minister of Foreign Af- 
 fairs. 
 
 Javid Bey — Deputy to the Turkish Parlia- 
 ment from Salonika, and a member of 
 13 
 
14 Characters 
 
 the head committee of the secret society 
 of the Young Turks, called "The Com- 
 mittee of Union and Progress." 
 
 Kasha Bey and Mauhamid BEY-^Officers 
 of the palace guard, secret members 
 of the Committee of Union and Prog- 
 ress. 
 
 Dehlias — Soudanese slave in the harem, 
 special attendant to Helaine. 
 
 Massalia and Ester — Caucasian slave 
 girls given to Helaine by the Sultan. 
 
 EvETTE — The Sultan's favorite wife. 
 
 Mustafa Sadi — Chief Eunuch to the Royal 
 Harem, and brother to Dehlias. 
 
 Henri — Waiter at the Galata Cafe. 
 
 George M. Fleischman — American Am- 
 bassador at Constantinople. 
 
 Oscar Ozmund — American Consul General 
 at Constantinople. 
 
 Kevshet Pasha — Generalissimo of the 
 army of the Young Turks. 
 
 MoHAMiD Ali Bey — Captain In the army 
 of the Young Turks. 
 
 French Ambassador and Wife. 
 
 Beh Hassan Ali — A messenger from the 
 Sultan. 
 
 Officers, soldiers, servants, wives of the 
 Sultan, ambassadors and wives from 
 various countries, court musicians, etc. 
 
 Five Principals and nine Minor Parts. 
 
PLAN I 
 
 Room of State, Yildiz Kiosh 
 Interior Scene 
 
 Doors R2E,^ R^E {draperies), L3E 
 {draperies) ; Double doors — C rear {dra- 
 peries). Window RiE. R2E leads to 
 garden. R3E leads to study. L^E leads 
 to servant quarters. D C Rear opens to 
 hallway. C, large oblong table. In center of 
 table, vase with one large rose. On left end, 
 a large leather box with brass bands at each 
 end of it. Telescope about two to three feet 
 long at R end of table. Few books in a 
 book rack, writing pad and ink are on table 
 suitably arranged. 
 
 Left of table at end, massive armchair, 
 leather finished, with beautiful piece of 
 
 * Author's Note. — R2E means Right Second En- 
 trance. The stage for convenience is divided from 
 right first entrance up to right fourth entrance; left 
 first entrance to left fourth entrance. D stands for 
 door, C stands for center, R stands for right, and L 
 stands for left. W stands for window. 
 15 
 
1 6 Plan I 
 
 gold cloth thrown over hack. Around the 
 table are placed five or six chairs of similar 
 pattern, hut smaller. In right rear corner 
 there is a large cheval mirror. L Front, 
 near wings, divan, with screen hehind it 
 and in front of it are placed several settees; 
 cushion on couch and on floor; narghile, 
 or water smoking hottle, on small stand in 
 front, to the right of divan. 
 
 RiE, hy window, is placed small tahle 
 with some magazines on it and a morris- 
 chair heside it. 
 
 On the three walls are hung rugs, some 
 silk prayer rugs and one or two Persian and 
 Turkish rugs of value. 
 
 Over door (C rear) there is a large paint- 
 ing, several feet tall, portraying a Turkish 
 soldier emhracing a German soldier. No 
 other ornaments are on the walls. 
 
 On the floor there are several rugs, and in 
 front of the couch there is a rich red hokhara. 
 
WITHIN THE GATES OF 
 YILDIZ 
 
 ACT I 
 
 Interior 
 
 Scene i — Room of State in the Sultanas 
 
 Palace, Yildiz Kiosh 
 
 Time, Afternoon 
 
 {At Rise 
 Mizzet Pasha is seated at right of table, 
 Hilmat Pasha is seated in chair behind the 
 table, 
 
 Mizzet Pasha has rather dark complexion, 
 and is about forty years old. He wears a 
 black mustache curled at each end. He is 
 about five feet ten inches high. He is well 
 dressed in a dark, fashionable cut-away coat 
 and wears gray trousers and gray spats. He 
 wears a red fez. This character is to be por- 
 trayed as a jovial, easy-going man, but 
 shrewd, cunning and outwardly a loyal friend 
 of the Sultan. He is the head of the palace 
 17 
 
1 8 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Camarilla, or hand of favorites of the 
 Sultan. 
 
 Hilmat Pasha — This character is a man 
 about sixty years old, is about five feet eleven 
 inches, of medium build, and is dignified 
 and wears a pointed gray beard. He wears 
 dark frock coat, dark trousers, black string 
 tie, and red fez. He is the Grand Visor to 
 the Sultan and is a secret member of the 
 Liberal Union Party, which is reactionary 
 and opposed to the Young Turk Party. 
 
 The Grand Visor and Mizzet are smoking 
 Turkish cigarettes. For a few moments 
 both are silent. Hilmat is seated with one 
 arm rested on the table, chin in hand, look- 
 ing intently at Mizzet, who has just blown 
 a puff of smoke at the ceiling and is lean- 
 ing back in his chair. He takes another 
 puff, straightens up, flicks the ashes from his 
 cigarette and resumes the conversation that 
 has apparently been going on before the 
 audience was allowed to come into the scene 
 by the lifting of the curtain.) 
 
 Mizzet — "These Young Turks seem to 
 have everything their own way. It was a 
 remarkable bloodless revolution. They are 
 so entrenched I fear they cannot be easily out- 
 rooted." 
 
 Grand Visor — {Straightening up and lay- 
 ing the palms of his hands on the table and 
 
Act I 19 
 
 leaning over.) "That is why I sent for you. 
 I thought your fertile brain might suggest 
 a means to an end. We are all simply 
 puppets in their hands. They are planning 
 now to replace the Praetorian palace guards 
 with soldiers from Adrianople and Salonika." 
 
 MizzET — "I hear they have already re- 
 moved the officers and have replaced them 
 with others who are secret members of their 
 Committee of Union and Progress." 
 
 Grand Visor — "It is true. Their accurst 
 membership fills every niche in the realm. 
 We do not know whom to trust. Something 
 drastic must be done, or we are out of it 
 forever. That constitution the Sultan was 
 forced to grant them last summer must be 
 revoked." 
 
 MizzET — {Smokes a moment.) "I have a 
 plan that originated with me before I left 
 England. When I present it to the Sultan, 
 you must seemingly oppose it. This will 
 more quickly win him to the idea. Once I 
 arouse his cupidity and you his antagonism 
 towards your opposition of the plan, he will 
 carry it through. When he first ascended the 
 throne, did he not at once repeal the con- 
 stitution his Uncle Abdul Aziz had just 
 granted and did he not have banished the 
 originators of it? {Rising.) If he had the 
 
20 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 audacity to revoke that one, then he will do 
 so in this case if we spur him to it." 
 
 Grand Visor — "And with the constitution 
 revoked the Young Turk Party will fall!" 
 {He rubs his hands together.) 
 
 {Master of Ceremonies, Saadi Bey, ap- 
 pears in doorway C rear; he wears a black 
 frock coat, dark trousers, string tie and red 
 fez. He has single decoration over his right 
 breast.) 
 
 Master of Ceremonies — "His Majesty, 
 the Sultan." {Salaams and withdraws.) 
 
 {Both the Grand Visor and Mizzet Pasha 
 arise and face the door C back. Sultan ap- 
 pears in doorway, pauses a moment. Grand 
 Visor and Mizzet Pasha both salute him 
 Turkish fashion; i. e., deep bow and right 
 hand first toward ground, then to chest, lips 
 and to forehead, in a fast movement.) 
 
 Sultan — "Gentlemen." {He comes down 
 stage.) "Ah, Mizzet, I am glad to see you 
 have returned. Evidently your stay in Eng- 
 land has done you no harm." {Sultan ex- 
 tends hand to Mizzet. ) 
 
 Mizzet Pasha — {Shaking hands.) "No, 
 your majesty, it was a healthy sojourn." {All 
 three laugh.) 
 
 {Sultan walks over to big chair, head 
 of table, sits down and waves the others to 
 do likewise. The Sultan wears a black string 
 
Act I 21 
 
 tie, dark trousers, red fez, like the others, 
 and a long brown smoking coat that extends 
 to knees and is hound at waist with a cord 
 like that of a hath robe. He has a black 
 beard, cut to a point; he has a prominent 
 nose, rather beaked. He carries himself 
 well, has a distinguished air and a manner- 
 ism that portrays him to be full of vigor.) 
 
 Sultan — {Jokingly.) "When the Young 
 Turks made manifest their power last sum- 
 mer, your flight was so precipitant that I 
 thought you would scarcely catch cold." {All 
 three laugh again.) ''What cheerful news 
 do you bring? This continual plotting and 
 counter-plotting is about driving me mad. I 
 have missed you, Mizzet, you were always 
 prolific in schemes that gave diversion to the 
 brain and gold to the pocket." 
 
 Mizzet — "Ah, it is one that now brings 
 me back." {He leans over the table and 
 speaks eagerly and rapidly.) "Stocks the 
 world over are now at inflated prices. Invest- 
 ments and expansions in industrial, mining 
 and railroad enterprises and even in ordinary 
 business pursuits have been progressing on 
 too large a scale. Prosperity has been ramp- 
 ant, borrowers are becoming too broad in 
 their views. Curtailment and contraction is 
 now in order. A reaction is in the wind, and 
 
22 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 the big banks of London, Paris, Berlin and 
 New York are beginning to hearken unto it. 
 Several labor strikes in England and Amer- 
 ica for increased wages are being agitated. 
 At the moment" {Clenches fist and brings 
 it on the table.) "we have the finest chance 
 we ever had to make a wonderful bear coup 
 in stocks." {He spreads hands.) "But we 
 must act quickly, quietly, and we will need 
 much gold." 
 
 Sultan — {Reclining in chair.) "Mizzet, 
 you are convincing, your sagacity and fore- 
 sight is usually marvelous; but you come to 
 me now at a time when I have no idle 
 money." {He straightens up, clenches both 
 fists and glares a moment down stage, then 
 to Hilmat.) "This accurst constitution I 
 granted last summer has curtailed my reve- 
 nue far more than I anticipated. Why was 
 I ever allowed to consent to the demands 
 of these impudent upstarts, the so-called 
 Committee of Union and Progress. Such 
 wisdom as thine, Hilmat, should have fore- 
 seen these dire results." {Sinks back in 
 chair.) 
 
 Grand Visor — "Your majesty, no one 
 dreamed that they would dare entertain the 
 prerogatives that they are now assuming, 
 but their demands were placed before us at 
 a time when we could ill have postponed 
 
Act I 23 
 
 them further. Peace had to be had at any 
 price. The army except that part located at 
 Constantinople had been won over, and the 
 Young Turks had the sympathy of a vast 
 number of people in Albania and elsewhere. 
 The cause of the unrest which brought about 
 this revolution can be traced far back. The 
 real germ was planted when your uncle, Sul- 
 tan Abdul Aziz, permitted the establish- 
 ment of the Roberts College." {Mizzet 
 gets up and walks up and down hack stage, 
 smoking.) "For in that American institu- 
 tion there has been hatched ideas that now 
 permeate the Young Turk Movement in this 
 country. It is now too late to fight this 
 spirit. We must recognize it and turn it to 
 advantage politically rather than lose pres- 
 tige by fighting it." 
 
 Sultan — {Impatiently.) "That is just 
 what I did do when I granted the damned 
 thing and gave out I was its protector; but 
 how turn it to advantage to give me funds? 
 Formerly I had full control over the Imperial 
 Treasury." {Pounds the table.) "I want 
 more funds, if with popularity, well and 
 good, but have them I shall, with or without 
 the popularity." 
 
 Grand Visor — "You still have vested in 
 you certain powers, and in lieu of what you 
 have done in proclaiming the constitution, 
 
24 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 the Young Turks would not oppose you in 
 exploiting the mines of Asia Minor, devel- 
 oping the petroleum fields of Mesopotamia, 
 or participating in the railroad project from 
 Trebizond on the Black Sea to Alexandretta 
 on the Mediterranean. These will all yield 
 handsome revenues." 
 
 MizzET Pasha — {Coming before the Sul- 
 tan.) "Your Majesty, time is too short to de- 
 vise new means of raising revenue. You are 
 greatly handicaped in this foolish constitu- 
 tion, and if you remember I opposed it bit- 
 terly. The simplest and quickest way is to 
 repeal it. The control of the finances will 
 enable us to launch this stock campaign at 
 once, and from it we will gain enough gold 
 to build for ourselves the railroad, work the 
 mines and exploit the oil fields. We are sure 
 to increase many hundred folds our invest- 
 ments." {Comes before Sultan, and ex- 
 citedly.) "We would revel in a rain of gold. 
 This is our big chance ! You are the Sultan 
 of the Empire ; 'the Great Calif,' 'Head of all 
 Islam,' 'the Shadow of God on Earth.' You 
 can do no wrong; your will is Law; Sultan 
 of a hundred Sultans, issue without delay an 
 Irade repealing the constitution." 
 
 HiLMAT — {Horrified.) "But the people, 
 Your Majesty." 
 
 MizzET — "People, Bah!" {Snaps fingers.) 
 
Act I 25 
 
 ''You repealed the constitution your Uncle 
 Abdul Aziz granted when you first came to 
 the throne and what was the outcome?" 
 {Paces to and from front stage.) "They 
 bent to your will and will do so again. Hu- 
 man nature is human nature. The sterner 
 you are with the dog and the woman the 
 more they respect and love you : cajole and 
 pet them, yield to their every whim, and 
 as likely as not you will find the dog snap- 
 ping at your hand; and the woman — Bah!" 
 (Stops before Sultan and Grand Visor.) "If 
 the people revolt we have the army in the 
 city, and the Praetorian Guards." 
 
 Grand Visor — "Yes, but the officers, I 
 am sure, are all members of the secret com- 
 mittee of the Committee of Union and Prog- 
 ress, and the poorly paid soldiers cannot be 
 counted upon any too well." 
 
 MizzET — {Standing beside his chair.) 
 "By that time. Your Majesty, we can buy 
 each soldier in the army and wouldn't miss it. 
 With gold — baktche — we can control their 
 very souls. At our command they will de- 
 stroy every officer in the army we name. We 
 hold the whip; use it." {Sits down.) 
 
 Sultan — {Arising and to Grand Visor, 
 who is about to speak. Both Mizzet and 
 Grand Visor arise.) "Enough said. Ever 
 since that constitution was passed I have felt 
 
26 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 whipped and have done nothing but sign com- 
 pulsorily Iradi after Iradi, decimating my 
 power. I was unduly coerced in acceding to 
 it." (To Grand Visor.) ''Call together 
 my cabinet of ministers and formulate an 
 Iradi repealing in toto the Constitution 
 granted last summer. Say to the cabinet that 
 the Constitution passed was not sufficiently 
 embracive and" {Pause.) "a broader one is 
 under consideration by me." {He looks at 
 Mizzet.) 
 
 Grand Visor — {Starting to speak and 
 holding out his hands in supplication.) 
 "But, Your Majesty?" 
 
 Sultan — {Extends right hand, fingers 
 up.) "Proceed, your Sultan has spoken." 
 {Grand Visor hows and departs, Exit C 
 rear door. 
 
 Sultan sits down again and motions Miz- 
 zet to do likewise; both light cigarettes.) 
 
 Mizzet — "Well spoken, Your Majesty. 
 Give the dogs just a little rope and the next 
 thing they will consider will be which of their 
 number they desire to nominate for the presi- 
 dency." {Both smile. Sultan claps his hand 
 and there enters at once a servant from 
 
 L3E.) 
 
 Sultan — "Coffee." {Servant salaams 
 and withdraws. Servant is dressed in white, 
 red fez with white turban. He wears red 
 
Act I 27 
 
 sash. He wears baggy trousers that fit close 
 to calf of leg from knee to ankle. His coat 
 extends below belt, nearly to knees. Coat 
 has tight sleeves.) 
 
 Muezzin or Priest — {A voice is heard 
 calling in distance from a minaret the faith- 
 ful to prayer.) "Allah Akber (4 times), 
 Esse ha dou allah-Il laha il-allah (2 times), 
 Esse hadou anneh Mohammedan rissool-ul- 
 lah. (2 times) Hooyah-ul-fellah (2 times) 
 la il lah il allah!" (Mizzet walks to the 
 window, RiE, from which the call comes. 
 He looks out and returns to the table, picks 
 up the telescope and walking back to the win- 
 dow looks out through the telescope. The 
 Sultan watches him with interest.) 
 
 Author's Note 
 muezzin's prayer call in full 
 
 (This is given to the four directions. 
 Muezzin walks around the minaret as he 
 calls. The call is rendered in high key, sing- 
 song tune, more of a wail than a call. It can 
 be heard a very long distance. Most Muez- 
 zins have beautiful flute-like voices.) The 
 call translated is as follows : — 
 
 "Great one, I avow there is no God but 
 
28 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 God — I avow that Mohammed is his 
 prophet. Let us go and pray. Let us go 
 save our souls. God is Great, there is no 
 God but God." 
 
 Sultan — "I suppose, Mizzet, you will 
 now be recommending a new odalisque to my 
 harem." 
 
 Mizzet — {Still looking out.) "Not this 
 time. I was just thinking how easily an ene- 
 my in yonder minaret could, with a high 
 power rifle, snuff you off as you here sat by 
 the window some balmy day. {He turns 
 from window and walks toward table.) You 
 see, Your Majesty, your welfare is con- 
 stantly in my mind." {Bows.) 
 
 { The Sultan shows every vestige of fear. 
 He draws hack, cringes, squirms, shudders 
 and finally with an effort arouses himself and 
 fairly rushes to the window, seizing the tele- 
 scope from Mizzet as he passes. He takes 
 a quick survey with the instrument and then 
 lays it on small table by the window and 
 claps his hands twice. At once there ap- 
 pears an orderly dressed in Albanian sol- 
 dier's white uniform, who salutes and bows.) 
 
 Sultan — {Hurriedly and pointing out of 
 window.) "Proceed at once to the head priest 
 of Ali Hamedi mosque and tell him his Sultan 
 disapproves of the architecture of the minaret 
 that disgraces the front of his mosque. Com- 
 
Act I 29 
 
 mand Its Instant destruction." {Orderly 
 makes move to go.) "Hold, say a more be- 
 coming one win be erected In Its site as a 
 gift from his Sultan at some time that will 
 suit his Sultan's pleasure." {Orderly starts 
 to go, hilt Sultan holds up detaining hand.) 
 "Within the hour I want Its obnoxious form 
 removed from my vision." 
 
 ( The Sultan walks hack to his chair and 
 falls hack into it in anguish.) 
 
 Sultan — "The thought that what might 
 have happened will torment me sorely. Ah, 
 MIzzet, the fear of sudden death with which 
 my being is suffused is like a drop of acid 
 eating on my brain." {He places hoth hands 
 to his temples.) "I think, at times, that my 
 brother Beshad, whom I imprisoned many 
 years ago, placed a curse on me. Malicious 
 and terrible Is the law that decrees that a 
 ruler shall be succeeded by his eldest living 
 brother instead of his first son. Thus, In- 
 stead of mutual love being constant between 
 two brothers, hatred is engendered and frat- 
 ricide tempted; by one, to satisfy his ambi- 
 tion; by the other, as a defense to his 
 throne." 
 
 MizZET — {Shrugging shoulders.) "Yes, 
 but it Is the law." {He walks to the window 
 and looks out.) 
 
 Sultan — {Eyeing him keenly and to him- 
 
30 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 self, apart.) "My friend Mizzet is getting 
 very solicitous. As Richelieu says, 'He bows 
 too low.' Back of his words, portraying the 
 fondness he conceives for me, he has himself 
 foremost in mind. A fine spectacle, the 
 Sultan a cat's paw for a knave. I shall con- 
 sider carefully before allowing published that 
 Irade recalling the Constitution." 
 
 (Enter C Door rear Master of Cere- 
 mony. The Sultan looks up inquiringly. 
 Master of Cerernony has two cards in his 
 hand, which he holds out.) 
 
 Master of Ceremony — "These two men 
 come from Paris. They wish to speak to you 
 privately. They have the password from 
 Monsieur Kuni. They have a third person 
 in the carriage whom they state they wish to 
 present to you. May I present them?" 
 
 Sultan — "Bring them in." 
 
 {Master of Ceremony hows and departs.) 
 
 Mizzet — "I must be off. I await your 
 pleasure in your decision regarding the stock 
 campaign. Adieu!" {Salutes Turkish fash- 
 ion, giving the tamena.) 
 
 Sultan— "Adieu ! I have the matter 
 under consideration." {Looks to the door 
 C rear.) 
 
 {Exit Mizzet R3E.) 
 
 {The Master of Ceremony enters C D 
 Rear, as Mizzet makes exit through RjE, 
 
Act I 31 
 
 He brings with him Mess. Bideleux and 
 Toriont, and coming down stage presents 
 them to the Sultan. The men are young , 
 thirty to thirty-five, are dressed in the height 
 of Parisian fashion. Both wear frock coats, 
 pearl trousers, gray spats, patent leather 
 shoes and small mustache cut high off the 
 lip. They wear zvhite waistcoats and have 
 glasses on black ribbons around their necks.) 
 
 Master of Ceremony — "Your Majesty, 
 by your leave, I present to you Monsieur 
 Bideleux and Monsieur Toriont, of Paris." 
 {Both bow deeply. Master of Ceremony 
 bows and departs, exit C D Rear.) 
 
 M. Bideleux — {As spokesman, he stands 
 nearest the audience.) "Your Majesty, 
 Leader of the Faithful, El Ghazi, Padisha, 
 Conqueror, and King of Kings, Imperial 
 Sultan of Turkey and all her domains. Foun- 
 tain Head of Wisdom and most esthetic 
 Appraiser of great beauty, to you, most 
 noble Effendi, who, having gathered such 
 wonderful flowers, can the more appreciate 
 one whose charm, whose beauty, whose grace, 
 and whose divinity of form surpasses all 
 others as the noonday sun does the starlight; 
 I repeat, to you, comes the great fortune of 
 being selected by my master, M. KunI, to 
 be the recipient of a most incomparable gift." 
 
 Toriont — {Second Emissary.) "Our 
 
32 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 master, M. Kuni, presents his compliments 
 and wishes me to say that of all his honored, 
 noble and royal clients it was of you whom he 
 thought when his eye was gladdened by the 
 first sight of our fair charge." 
 
 Sultan — "Such eloquence must be built 
 on well-founded assurances." 
 
 BiDELEUX — "You, honored Sultan, think 
 we exaggerate! But, bade us to bring her 
 to you, and once your eye feast upon her, you 
 will mock us for our stupidity in portrayal." 
 
 TORIONT — {Bowing.) "It is a sacrilege 
 to attempt to describe her, Your Majesty I" 
 
 Sultan — "If you are correct in your 
 chivalrous laudations, as I presume you must 
 be, though what tickles the palate of one man 
 may be distasteful to that of another, I am 
 afraid my very solicitous friend Kuni will 
 expect me to be over generous in my reim- 
 bursement for the inconvenience he has sub- 
 jected himself and, especially, you two gen- 
 tlemen. At present, my exchequer is as 
 bare as the proverbial cupboard. Neverthe- 
 less, Messieurs, your manner and compli- 
 mentary address both please and flatter me. 
 It would be rude of me to refuse to receive 
 dear Kuni's presentation, and, while I com- 
 mit myself in no way, I shall be pleased to 
 see what Kuni says is the fairest of the fair." 
 {Sultan stands up and waves them to the 
 
Act I 33 
 
 door C. Rear. Emissaries bow and with- 
 draw through D C Rear.) 
 
 (Sultan claps hands once. Servant quickly 
 enters from DL^E.) 
 
 Sultan — "My coat, quick." 
 
 {Servant makes hurried exit DL^E. 
 The Sultan removes his smoking coat. 
 Enter servant L^E with frock coat, takes 
 the smoking coat from the Sultan and holds 
 frock coat for him, then he withdraws quick- 
 ly through same exit, L^E. Sultan walks 
 over to glass in R corner rear, smooths his 
 coat, and walks down stage to his couch, sits 
 down, takes out cigarette, lights match, re- 
 flects a moment, shrugs his shoulders.) 
 
 Sultan — "Anyway, it costs nothing to 
 have a look." {Lights cigarette.) 
 
 {Servant enters D C rear and stands 
 aside, holding back drapery. Enter through 
 same door Bideleux and Toriont with young 
 girl between them. She wears smart-fitting 
 suit that shows a beautiful figure to advan- 
 tage, suitable hat, etc. Her veil is pulled 
 up from mouth and nose, but nearly shades 
 her eyes. The girl is strikingly beautiful. 
 She carries herself well. Her hand rests in 
 Bideleux's arm, and he and Toriont bring 
 her down stage and they present her to 
 the Sultan. The Sidtan continues to lean 
 hack in his seat and looks at the girl through 
 
34 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 veiled lids. He blows out a puf of 
 smoke,) 
 
 BiDELEUX — "Your Majesty, I present 
 with your permission, my charge. Made- 
 moiselle Helaine Periot." {Helaine bows 
 and the Sultan acknowledges her with slight 
 nod. He eyes her keenly and with admira- 
 tion.) 
 
 TORIONT — "To be frank with you, Your 
 Majesty, this young lady is no ordinary per- 
 son. Her father is a nobleman and well 
 known in European aristocratic circles. He 
 has represented his government in several 
 foreign courts, and at present is a member 
 of the French Embassy at Berlin. He, in 
 some way, became involved in a socialistic 
 plot in Germany to make it a Repubhc, con- 
 cerning which the Turkish Ambassador 
 gained full cognizance. It is therefore in 
 your Ambassador's power to ruin him in Ger- 
 many and have him discredited in his own 
 country. He is completely in the hands of 
 your Ambassador, as the plot itself has be- 
 come known and its instigators are being 
 urgently sought." 
 
 TORIONT — {Smiling clandestinely at Sul- 
 tan.) "My Master, M. Kuni, arranged it 
 all" {looking knowingly at Bideleux) ^ "that 
 is, for Mademoiselle to come here with 
 us and ask that word from you that will 
 
Act I 35 
 
 quickly clear the name of her father. She 
 was running away to a nunnery when we 
 found her." {Sultan looks surprised.) 
 
 Sultan — {To Helaine, who has been 
 standing with head more or less averted to 
 avoid the steady gaze the Sidtan had been 
 giving her during the above conversation.) 
 "Remove your veil and hat, my dear, and 
 come over and tell me all about yourself." 
 
 {To Bideleux and Toriont.) "Pray leave 
 us for a while. In my study there" {point- 
 ing to R3E.) "you win find my secretary 
 and servants, who will gratify your every 
 wish. Make yourselves comfortable." {To- 
 riont and Bideleux bow and make exit 
 
 R3E.) 
 
 {Enter servant L^E with coffee utensils; 
 i. e., brass vessel like a stew pan, small cups 
 without handles, set in silver holders; round 
 coffee mill, cylinder shaped; brass jars con- 
 taining sugar and coffee. Sultan takes He- 
 laine by the hand and leads her to the 
 couch.) 
 
 Sultan — "Please sit on the divan beside 
 me while I make you a cup of coffee." 
 
 {Servant sets down the tray on settee in 
 front of Sultan, who ^notions him away. 
 Servant salaams, makes exit L^E. Sultan 
 sits down and lights the spirit lamp.) 
 
 Helaine — {Clasping hands.) "This Is 
 
36 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 delightful, and odd, having tea with a 
 Sultan." 
 
 Sultan— "No, coffee!!" {Both laugh.) 
 "Tell me, Mademoiselle, how you met these 
 gentlemen" {Places water in brass boiling 
 pan, which is on the fire, and begins grinding 
 some coffee) "and in what manner you were 
 persuaded to come here. You — in a nun- 
 nery. This smacks of a romance. Tell me 
 about yourself." 
 
 Helaine — "But, Your Majesty, won't 
 you remove your fez ? The gentlemen in my 
 country, including the nobility, all remove 
 their hats in the presence of a lady, espe- 
 cially in the house ; otherwise, they show her 
 disrespect. Is it not the custom here?" 
 
 Sultan — {Very much amused and laugh- 
 ingly.) "Yes, my dear, for gentlemen from 
 your country; otherwise, we would be in- 
 sulted, but it is not the custom for a Turk. 
 You are refreshingly amusing; please pro- 
 ceed." {He pours coffee and sugar into the 
 pan and stirs it with a ladle.) 
 
 Helaine — "My parents had high ambi- 
 tions for me and were anxious that I marry 
 a man I did not love. Because of my 
 mother's insistence that I marry a certain 
 old Duke whom I hated, I ran away and 
 was en route to the nunnery of Sacre Cour 
 De Blee in Normandy when " 
 
Act I 37 
 
 Sultan — {Pouring out a cup of coffee 
 and handing it to H claim,) "To hide such 
 a beautiful face in a nunnery, for shame!" 
 
 Helaine — {Taking coffee.) "You are 
 very complimentary, Your Majesty." {Sips 
 coffee and makes wry face.) "What odd 
 tasting coffee ! Is this the kind you always 
 drink?" 
 
 Sultan — {Sipping a cup he has poured 
 for himself.) "After you have drank it 
 a while you will care for no other. Continue, 
 s'il vous plait J' 
 
 Helaine — "There is very little more to 
 say." 
 
 Sultan — "Did your father know of 
 this?'; 
 
 Helaine — "I sent him a despatch to Ber-' 
 lin telling him of my plans and when I would 
 execute them unless he intervened and prom- 
 ised to let me marry whom I pleased." 
 
 Sultan — {Looking up inquiringly.) 
 "So?" 
 
 Helaine — "At Toulon I was met by 
 Messieurs Bideleux and Toriont, who said 
 that my father had received the despatch 
 and would help me, but that he was in trouble 
 himself and needed me at once in Berlin, 
 and for me to come with them without de- 
 lay." 
 
 Sultan — "They had credentials?" 
 
38 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Helaine — "They showed me a despatch 
 which bore my father's name as the signa- 
 ture, directing them to intercept me at Tou- 
 lon and to bring me at once to Berlin with 
 them." 
 
 Sultan — {Inquiringly.) "You went to 
 Berlin" {Pause) ^ "but didn't see your 
 father?" 
 
 Helaine — {Looking up quickly and say- 
 ing hesitatingly.) "No-o, I was carried to 
 the Adlon Hotel and there introduced to a 
 distinguished elderly gentleman, who ex- 
 plained that my father had to leave the city 
 hurriedly on account of a serious political 
 scandal in which he was involved, but that 
 my father had besought him to urge me to 
 come directly to Constantinople and present 
 myself to you, and to explain that I was his 
 daughter and to deliver this document and 
 that he felt sure that your instructions to 
 the Turkish Ambassador would be such that 
 the scandal would be hushed and my father 
 would be saved from ruin." 
 
 Sultan — "Where is the document?" 
 
 Helaine — {Taking it from her bosom, 
 and giving it to the Sultan.) "Here." 
 
 Sultan — ( Takes it, arises and walks 
 front stage, aside.) "Clever Kuni, clever Ku- 
 ni. The devil machinates and Kuni executes. 
 A finer working pair are yet to be found." 
 
Act I 39 
 
 {Opens document.) "I see he has not for- 
 gotten how to write lurkish." {Reads.) 
 "Your Majesty, Kismet still smiles on you. 
 See what has befallen thy lucky lot to re- 
 ceive. A letter written by this little goddess 
 to her father fell into our hands. Her 
 beauty is know^n all over northern Europe, 
 and her hand in marriage is craved by some 
 of our most brilliant noblemen. She will 
 grace your harem as never before was graced 
 a Turkish harem. She will give to you, if 
 you can but win her confidence, greater com- 
 panionship than all the ox-eyed beauties from 
 the Caucasus and Georgias. Send me the 
 beggarly sum of five hundred thousand 
 francs, call it cheap, and say the deed has 
 been well done. Adieu. Kuni." 
 
 {Whistling, and aside.) "Five hundred 
 thousand francs! This must be a price- 
 less jewel, or ought to be, and no money 
 in the strong box." {Shakes his head.) "Any- 
 way, we shall see what we shall see." ( Turns 
 to girl.) "Your father is indeed in a serious 
 predicament; no dishonorable act on his own 
 part, but circumstances are liable to place 
 him at the mercy of his enemies. We will 
 discuss his affairs a little later. Let me first 
 show you around the palace garden." {He 
 and Helaine arise. Just then there is heard 
 a loud detonation in the distance; both start. 
 
40 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 The Sultan rushes to the window, RiE.) 
 " 'Tis well." {JVipes his brow with a hand- 
 kerchief,) "God preserves those who pre- 
 serve themselves." {To girl.) " 'Tis noth- 
 ing, some workmen blasting on the Bos- 
 phorus." 
 
 Helaine — {Looking at the rugs on the 
 wall.) "What beautiful rugs; but why do 
 you hang them on the wall, instead of pic- 
 tures?" 
 
 Sultan — {When Helaine first notices the 
 rugs, holds hands in prayer and looks sky- 
 ward.) "We Turks never portray in design 
 any living objects. It is so decreed in the 
 Koran; hence we never make pictures. My 
 nomadic ancestors used rugs on the walls of 
 their tents to keep out the draughts from 
 the crevices, and we being a conservative 
 people have been simply following the cus- 
 tom from habit. But these are nothing, my 
 choicest treasures are in the capital of a 
 distant country." 
 
 Helaine— "Indeed?" 
 
 Sultan — {Sadly.) "Aye, my priceless 
 old Ghorges, Kirmans, Tabrizes, Dogestans 
 and Shrivans, heirlooms and gifts from 
 Pshas, Califs, Sheiks, from Persia to Mo- 
 
 rocco." 
 
 Helaine — "Why did you give them up?" 
 
Act I 41 
 
 Sultan — ''The Empress was my guest; 
 she admired them. It's our custom." 
 
 Helaine — "Did you receive no present in 
 return?" 
 
 Sultan — {Dryly.) "Oh, yes, regardez." 
 {He points to the picture, over door C rear, 
 portraying a German and Turkish soldier in 
 close embrace.) 
 
 Helaine — {Bursting out laughing.) ''Ex- 
 cuse me, I can't help it. It is so absurd it 
 makes me laugh." 
 
 Sultan — ^"Don't! It makes me sad. 
 Stop laughing, you profane the costliest pic- 
 ture in the Turkish Empire." 
 
 Helaine — {Wiping her eyes.) "And 
 nothing else?" 
 
 Sultan — "Oh, yes. The marble fountain 
 to the people in Stamboul; molding public 
 sentiment, my dear. The Bagdad railroad, 
 a land route from Berlin to India. It's all 
 in the game, but may cause our people a lot 
 of bloodshed, sooner or later, and the Eng- 
 lish a lot of worry and money." 
 
 Helaine — {Looks at the picture and 
 laughs again.) "Why not hang it in the 
 fountain?" 
 
 Sultan — "Capital idea." {Laughs. He 
 takes her by the arm and leads her to the 
 door R3E.) "Now let me show you my 
 beautiful garden. In it I have the most 
 
42 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 wonderful collection of pigeons in the world. 
 Some of them are as large as roosters." 
 
 Helaine — {Excitedly.) "Really? I 
 should love to see them." {Exeunt RzE.) 
 
 {Enter Raymond McKensie, with Mas- 
 ter of Ceremony at C rear. Raymond Mc- 
 Kensie is man twenty-eight, tall, blue eyes 
 and brown hair, clean shaven and nicely 
 dressed in gray suit, fedora hat, gloves, cane 
 in hand, tan shoes.) 
 
 Raymond — "The men are not here." 
 
 Master of Ceremony — "They must be 
 in this room." {Points to DRsE.) 
 
 Raymond — "Where is His Majesty and 
 the young lady?" 
 
 Master of Ceremony — "They are 
 promenading in the garden." 
 
 Raymond — "Please inform the two 
 Frenchmen that their courier wishes to speak 
 to them at once." 
 
 Master of Ceremony — "Their courier? 
 Effendi?" 
 
 Raymond — "Yes, they know me as that." 
 
 {Master of Ceremony makes exit R3E. 
 Raymond walks to window and looks out 
 and shakes his fist at an imaginary foe. Mas- 
 ter of Ceremony, accompanied by Bideleux 
 and Toriont, eriter from R3E.) 
 
 Bideleux — {Apparently irritated.) "You ! 
 I thought we dismissed you at the gate." 
 
Act I 43 
 
 Raymond — {To Master of Ceremony,) 
 ''Leave us a moment, please." {Master of 
 Ceremony withdraws D C rear.) 
 
 Raymond — "What's the game? I am 
 just informed through a secret source that 
 you are trying to sell to the Sultan that 
 charming young lady we brought here a few 
 moments ago. Is that correct?" 
 
 BiDELEUX — {Taken hack.) "That is none 
 of your business." 
 
 Raymond — "I'll make it some of my busi- 
 ness." 
 
 BiDELEUX — {Walking up to him and glar- 
 ing him in the eye^ and sarcastically.) "It 
 is like a courier to be a braggadocio at a time 
 and place like this where his insolence has a 
 chance of going unpunished." {Hisses.) 
 "I suppose you want me to ask your price." 
 
 Raymond — {Looking at him in con- 
 tempt.) "I am not a courier, and even if 
 I were I wouldn't honor you by being in- 
 sulted by you." {Takes card from pocket.) 
 "Here is my card. I served you out of 
 courtesy to the lady, and if she is not safely 
 back to the hotel this evening there will be 
 hell to pay for you two slick ones." {He 
 turns on his hack and walks of exit C rear.) 
 
 BiDELEUX — {Reading the card.) "Ray- 
 mond McKensie, Charge d'Affaires, Amer- 
 ican Embassy." 
 
44 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 BiDELEUX — {Whistling in surprise.) "The 
 Charge d'Affaires of the American Em- 
 bassy!" 
 
 ToRiONT — "He didn't have the air of a 
 courier, and I was xery suspicious when he 
 refused to receive the pay for his services." 
 
 BiDELEUX — "Well, it might be worse. We 
 can rig up a dummy, or take a substitute from 
 the Sultan's household and go direct from 
 here to the depot to-night." 
 
 ToRiONT — {Smiling.) "These Americans 
 are so unique. Imagine a Charge d'Affaires 
 of the Embassy acting as a courier to three 
 persons he never saw before, simply for the 
 love of an adventure." 
 
 BiDELEUX — "He may get one out of it. 
 Damn him!" 
 
 Curtain 
 
ACT II 
 
 Scene i — Sublime Porte-Ministers' Chamber 
 Time — Afternoon Same Day 
 
 (Plain room, finished in oak. Door at 
 LiE and double doors at center rear. Large 
 table at R of center on which are placed 
 ten portfolios containing writing materials. 
 Tables run up and down stage. Seated at 
 the table in heavy oak chairs are as follows: 
 Emvers Bey — The Minister of War. 
 Ahmed Bey — The Minister of the Interior. 
 IsMED Pasha — The Minister of Finance. 
 Talat Bey — The Minister of the Marine. 
 KiAMiL Pasha — The Minister of Foreign 
 A fairs. 
 
 All the ministers wear frock coats and red 
 fezzes. They are tall and dignified, and zuear 
 beards, all more or less gray, except the Min- 
 ister of War, who is seated at left of table 
 and is nearest front stage. He has before 
 him a stack of telegrams. The Minister of 
 War is young man with small black mus- 
 tache. He is a secret member of the myste- 
 rious Young Turk Committee of Union and 
 45 
 
46 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Progress, The other ministers lean to the 
 old Sultan and are at heart enemies to the 
 Young Turks.) 
 
 Minister of War, Emvers Bey — "Gen- 
 tlemen, I have here dispatches from various 
 parts of the Empire, mostly from Vilayets in 
 Albania, Macedonia, describing petty upris- 
 ings, uneasiness among the people, and bud- 
 ding revolutions which are being suppressed 
 as fast as they are recognized. Shall my 
 instructions to the commandants in charge be 
 that they are promptly to shoot the ring 
 leaders and confiscate their property for the 
 state, to arrest all suspects and after trial to 
 banish them if evidence is not strong enough 
 to convict, so that to make sure justice has 
 not miscarried?" 
 
 Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kiamil 
 Pasha — "I am afraid that is only skimming 
 the surface. I believe the people of troubled 
 Albania are being abetted in their unrest by 
 the Bulgarians, Servians, Greeks, and per- 
 haps likewise by the Montenegrins. My 
 spies in these named countries all tell me that 
 feverish military preparations are now go- 
 ing on. It is only a question of time when a 
 proper understanding will be reached among 
 them and they will use as a pretext any sub- 
 stantial revolt in Albania to join forces with 
 the Insurgents against us." 
 
Act II Al 
 
 Minister of Interior, Ahmed Bey — "If 
 we had good roads, or even passable ones, so 
 that the country at large could enjoy a free 
 interchange of commerce, so that the natives 
 from different parts, by mingling, could ex- 
 change ideas, the Empire would then become 
 more unified and a better understanding 
 would arise, and these troublesome little up- 
 risings would end; but I need funds to carry 
 out this road and bridge construction propa- 
 ganda." 
 
 Minister of Marine, Talat Bey — "Al- 
 bania is fated to become a seat of trouble. 
 Austria for a long time has had covetous eyes 
 upon her, and nothing would suit the Black 
 Eagle better than to see a revolution start 
 that we could not suppress, so she would have 
 the pretext of stepping in to police it for us 
 in order to safeguard the interest of her resi- 
 dent subjects. Behold the fate of Bosnia and 
 Herzegovina." 
 
 Minister of War, Emvers Bey — "This 
 inaction on our part is simply encouraging 
 our enemies to unite against us." {To the 
 Minister of State.) "May we not agitate 
 again the question of Crete and bring it to an 
 issue? 
 
 "Let us demand from Greece an ulti- 
 matum regardless of the Powers' demands of 
 the maintenance of the 'Status Quo' to the 
 
48 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 situation. By taking the offensive at this time 
 and thoroughly thrashing Greece, which I am 
 satisfied we can do, we can then so intimi- 
 date the Servians, Montenegrins and Bul- 
 garians that their ideas of war will be dis- 
 pelled. A successful war with Greece will 
 stir up patriotism in Albania and unite her 
 completely. We can thus intimidate these 
 States, and at the same time unite Albania 
 through patriotism with the rest of the 
 Empire. Nothing would do this so well 
 as a war, and especially a victorious one. 
 We, in this way, can put off perhaps for an- 
 other generation a disastrous war against the 
 combined Balkan States. They have not yet 
 forgotten our previous victories over them, 
 and they remember full well the terrible Turk 
 when he fights. To delay this is suicidal. 
 Every month, yes, every week, gives strength 
 and better understanding to our enemies." 
 
 Minister of Marine, Talat Bey — 
 "From the last report our treasury lacked 
 the funds to wage a war, and, as you know, 
 our borrowing power just at this time is at 
 a low ebb." {To Minister of Finance.) 
 ''Ismed, in what financial condition are we 
 now to wage war on Greece?" 
 
 Minister of Finance, Ismed Pasha — 
 *'In no condition as yet. Our increased 
 revenue derived from the constitution we se- 
 
Act II 49 
 
 cured last summer from the Sultan has been 
 going to pay back interest on old loans and 
 for certain civic improvements, which must 
 be made immediately. For instance, a num- 
 ber of the pontoons under the Galata bridges 
 are in a bad condition and are about to sink, 
 so they are being replaced." 
 
 Minister of Interior, Ahmed Bey — "A 
 number of bridges in the interior must be 
 rebuilt if we do not want fresh revolts. The 
 people grumble about heavy taxes and no 
 benefits. With the advent of the constitu- 
 tion they expected magical changes all at 
 once." 
 
 {Knock is heard on Door C Rear.) 
 Minister of Marine. — "Enter." 
 {Door opens and page appears.) 
 Page — {After saluting.) "Javid Bey, 
 Deputy from Salonika, is without and seeks 
 presentation. May I admit him?" 
 
 {Ministers look at each other a moment 
 and no one seemingly is opposed to the re- 
 quest.) 
 
 Minister of Marine, Talat Bey — 
 "Present the Effendi." 
 
 {Exit Page. He appears with J avid Bey, 
 who is a slender built man about thirty-five 
 years old. He wears gray sack suit, fez, 
 slight mustache and eye-glasses. He is an 
 important member of the secret head com- 
 
50 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 mittee of the reform party, the Committee 
 of Union and Progress.) 
 
 Javid Bey — {Coming down stage after 
 saluting and receiving in return salutes from- 
 the ministers.) "Good-day, gentlemen. 
 Ah, I perceive the Grand Visor is absent." 
 {He stands at L, front stage.) 
 
 Minister of War, Emvers Bey — "We 
 expect him any moment. He sent word for 
 us to proceed with business in hand as mat- 
 ters at Yildiz would perhaps detain him. 
 What have you to place before us, friend 
 Javid?" 
 
 Javid Bey — "I have here bills that I wish 
 to present before you and the Chamber of 
 Deputies pertaining to the resurrection of 
 old Turkey, so that we shall be styled no 
 longer the Sick Man of Europe, but instead, 
 the Rejuvenated One." 
 
 {He takes a stack of folded papers from 
 his pocket and reads the inscriptions written 
 on the back of each.) 
 
 "These are for the establishment of — 
 a municipal telephone system; electric light 
 plant; electric car system; new bridge over 
 the Golden Horn " 
 
 Minister of Finance, Ismed Pasha — 
 {Smiling.) "With what funds, pray suggest, 
 can these expensive plans be enacted?" 
 
 Javid Bey — "If a city of over a million 
 
Act II 51 
 
 souls has no means of erecting these plants, 
 we can easily sell the rights to foreigners to 
 do so. There Is not another city In the world 
 with so many natural advantages as Con- 
 stantinople that Is so poorly conducted In 
 respect to the comforts of modern facilities. 
 Why, a company would get rich quickly If we 
 would allow It to monopolize an electric car 
 system, lighting plant, telephone system or a 
 new toll bridge. Do you know that over 
 one hundred and fifty thousand people pass 
 dally over that ramshackle old Galata bridge, 
 to and fro from Stamboul?" {Pause — looks 
 at another paper,) "Here Is a bill to do 
 away with the dogs of Constantinople." {All 
 the ministers look at each other and laugh,) 
 Minister of Marine, Talat Bey — 
 "Your reforms are sweeping, Mr. Deputy 
 from Salonika, but as a politician. Is it wise 
 to stir up a row against yourself and against 
 the administration by such a drastic and radi- 
 cal act as doing away with the dogs of the 
 city? They are Constantinople's oldest in- 
 
 stitution." 
 
 Javid Bey — ^"Nevertheless, they must go. 
 Breeders of disease, mangy and flee bitten, 
 they are a loathsome sight and form the only 
 blot on this beautiful spot Allah has given 
 us. If we do not annihilate them, we can at 
 least place them on an island, and there all 
 
$2 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 dog lovers can go and carry them food, but 
 it is more humane to kill them. I know of a 
 suitable island near Prinka Poo." 
 
 Minister of Marine, Talat Bey — 
 *'And the refuse of the city — has your fertile 
 brain likewise devised some scheme of re- 
 moving this?" 
 
 Javid Bey — "Like any other city of 
 Europe, by carts and wagons. We enjoy the 
 privilege of making necessary expenditures 
 for the good of the city under our consti- 
 tution." 
 
 {At the word ^^wagons^' the Grand Visor 
 has entered the room hurriedly from DR2E, 
 and goes to his chair at the head of the table. 
 At the mention of the Constitution, he stops 
 a moment before sitting down and says to 
 Javid Bey.) 
 
 Grand Visor Hilmat Pasha — "What is 
 that about the Constitution?" {Seats him- 
 self,) 
 
 Minister of Finance Ismed Pasha — 
 "Javid Bey has been enlightening us with the 
 way in which he intends to reform the com- 
 monwealth, the last, which he was explaining 
 as you came in, was a proposal to extermi- 
 nate or maroon on an island all the dogs of 
 the city and replace the scavenger service 
 with a modern European white wing equip- 
 
Act II 53 
 
 ment, the same to be installed and supported 
 by the city." (All laugh.) 
 
 Grand Visor Hilmat Pasha — "With 
 the additional income for civic improvements 
 granted by the Constitution, eh? Well, the 
 Sultan has commanded me that he wants us to 
 draw up an Irade recalling the Constitution 
 in toto, same to be sent to him at once for 
 his perusal and signature." {Consternation 
 is shown in faces of Emvers Bey and J avid 
 Bey. They look from one to the other.) 
 
 Minister of War, Emvers Bey — 
 {Walking over to J avid — aside.) *'I see in 
 this the fine Italian hand of Mizzet, who re- 
 turned from England this morning." 
 
 Javid Bey — {His face white and tense y 
 fists clenched — aside.) "A bad day's work 
 when we let him get away." 
 
 Minister of War, Emvers Bey — 
 {Aside.) "Well, brother?" 
 
 Javid Bey — {Aside.) "It is as I feared. 
 Only one thing, war, and to the end." 
 
 Minister of War, Emvers Bey — 
 {Aside.) "We can't go back to the old or- 
 der. The Empire wouldn't last a year." 
 
 Javid Bey — {To ministers.) "The spirit 
 we need in the Empire to make men of us, 
 instead of puppets, is to be sure we are right 
 and then go ahead, regardless of conse- 
 quences. Shall we see Turkey cut into piece- 
 
54 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 meal, and fed to the Vultures of Europe who 
 sit by patiently waiting the death rattle be- 
 fore gouging themselves with bits of our fair 
 country, so fertile and productive that in spite 
 of the enormous drains made upon her, in 
 spite of the ignorance, superstition and the 
 drawbacks of misgovernment of hundreds of 
 years, she manages to live and keep her in- 
 dependence? 
 
 "There is not another nation in the 
 world that would have preserved its integrity 
 so long under similar conditions. For our 
 national existence this Constitution must not 
 be revoked." 
 
 ( The Grand Visor , while J avid Bey was 
 talking, took a document from his pocket, 
 sighted it and passed it along to the various 
 ministers, who in turn read and signed it. 
 The Minister of Finance reads and signs it.) 
 
 Minister of Finance, Ismed Pasha — 
 "Javid, here is the Irade, recalling the Con- 
 stitution, drawn up and signed by the minis- 
 ters, as requested by his Majesty. It is now 
 ready for his perusal and signature before 
 becoming a law." {Sarcastically.) "Per- 
 haps your eloquence may convince his Maj- 
 esty of the error of his ways, and you may 
 take it to him and persuade him not to sign 
 it — eh, Hilmat?" {Hilmat nods. Ismed 
 passes the document to the Minister of War. 
 
Act II 55 
 
 The Minister of War, after signing the docu- 
 ment, gives it to Hilmat and then walks to 
 L. C. to J avid Bey.) 
 
 Minister of War, Emvers Bey — 
 {Aside, pleadingly.) "It will do no good, but 
 will make you a marked man, and we need 
 you." 
 
 Javid Bey — {Aside.) "Yes, but I shall 
 take it to him. God help me to convince him 
 of his injustice before it is too late to do so 
 by peaceful means." 
 
 Grand Visor, Hilmat Pasha — {Wav- 
 ing the document.) "Well, Javid, how about 
 it?" 
 
 Javid Bey — {TValking over to the Grand 
 Visor, taking the document from him and 
 ramming it in his inside breast pocket.) "I 
 shall take it to him." {He turns on his heel 
 and makes exit L2E. The others look at 
 each other. Minister of Finance and Grand 
 Visor laugh.) 
 
 Curtain 
 
 Scene 2 — The Garden of Yildiz 
 Time — Later, Same Afternoon 
 
 {The garden is on a hillside, and in the 
 distance over the low wall in the background 
 can be seen the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn 
 and Stamboul, with many minarets and 
 
S6 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 domes of mosques against the sky; and, in 
 the dim distance, the shore line of Asia^ 
 Minor. On the top of the wall there are 
 little turrets at intervals for sentries, and 
 one of these {Practical) is larger than the 
 others and is near the front stage, RiE. The 
 interior of it is visible. On the other side of 
 stage at LiE and L2E is seen a wing {Prac- 
 tical) of Yildiz Kiosh, the Sultan's palace. 
 The front windows downstairs are of the 
 French variety, tiny panes, etc., and are in 
 panel efect. The doors are in the same style. 
 The upstairs windows are latticed. A small 
 uncovered stone porch extends few feet be- 
 fore the door. Steps lead to the ground. 
 At left of steps down stage is placed a wicker 
 bench. Stage is set with shrubbery, trees, 
 flower beds and lawn between. There is a 
 winding lagoon which enters R2E, goes to 
 C and exit R4E. A moment after the rise 
 of the curtain a water tricycle makes its ap- 
 pearance around a bend in the lagoon, from 
 right of stage. This is an arrangement built 
 like a small raft with a bench on it and a 
 pedal arrangement by means of which a 
 small paddle wheel is operated astern. The 
 tricycle is steered by a steering bar. In the 
 tricycle is seated the Sultan and Helaine.) 
 
 Helaine — "I think your garden wonder- 
 ful. It is almost magical. Such pigeons, and 
 
Act II 57 
 
 those beautiful dogs I I am afraid that 
 such a lover of pets cannot be the Red 
 Sultan Europe has painted you. A person 
 would be willing to forego the delights of 
 travel and the pleasures of city life to be al- 
 lowed to dream in such heavenly environ- 
 ment." 
 
 Sultan — {Stopping the tricycle,) "I be- 
 lieve you are becoming inoculated with the 
 bacilli of the Bosphorus." 
 
 Helaine — (Inquiringly.) "Bacilli of the 
 Bosphorus?" 
 
 Sultan — "Yes, strangers come to Con- 
 stantinople and find men and even families 
 well educated, wealthy and normal, who have 
 never been away from the Bosphorus, and 
 can not be persuaded to leave, regardless of 
 the alluring portrayal by travelers of the 
 fascination of witnessing the interesting 
 sights to be seen in foreign places. I feel 
 the same way. We are too satisfied with our 
 lot, and after strangers stay here a while 
 they find it more and more difficult to leave. 
 Thus the derivation of the expression, 'Ba- 
 cilli of the Bosphorus.' " 
 
 Helaine — "How interesting!" (Naive- 
 ly.) "You must not show me any more of 
 your wonderful things, or I, myself, might 
 become Inoculated and want to remain." 
 
58 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 (He helps her from the tricycle, and they 
 advance down stage.) 
 
 Sultan — {Pointedly.) "Would that be 
 so very terrible?" 
 
 Helaine — {Laughingly.) "It might be 
 for both of us." 
 
 Sultan — "Now, if you will come into 
 my reception Salon I will show you what I 
 consider a remarkable collection of porcelain. 
 I have a mania for collecting those things 
 which interest me. I cannot visit the mu- 
 seums of the world, so I bring them to me 
 and own them. It is the same with plays. 
 I have those that I think will interest me 
 produced in my theater here at Yildiz, so 
 you see we are not so isolated from the world 
 as one may think." 
 
 Helaine — {Pointing to tower or small 
 turret on the wall RiE.) "What is that odd 
 little house perched up there on the wall?" 
 {Laughter is heard from within the Pal- 
 ace L.) 
 
 Sultan — "It seems your friends are be- 
 ing well entertained; if you are willing, we 
 will go up into the little turret and watch the 
 moon come up from behind Scutari, the little 
 town on the Asiatic side. It will be full 
 to-night, and early. When you see her ap- 
 pear over Stamboul, bringing out in bold 
 relief the minarets of San Sofia and other 
 
Act II 59 
 
 mosques, and her beams illuminating the gen- 
 tle waters between Stamboul and Galata, you 
 will see why we call the inlet the Golden 
 Horn. I believe you will also tell me that 
 you hav^e never seen in all your travels a 
 more beautiful sight." 
 
 Helaine — "By all means, let's go up." 
 ( The Sultan takes her arm and they go up 
 the stairs and sit in the turret.) 
 
 Sultan — "It is from this little turret I 
 watch the world, my world. Being a Sultan 
 has many drawbacks, the greatest of which 
 is seclusion. We rulers are but human be- 
 ings. Living alone apart from our fellow 
 beings makes us all more or less queer; too 
 much introspection and flattery begets ego- 
 tism. This has not the tendency to keep us 
 balanced, and we become bigoted and im- 
 agine strange things." {He taps his head 
 with his fingers.) "All of us rulers get it 
 sooner or later." 
 
 Helaine — {Laughingly.) "And you?" 
 Sultan — "With me? My form of in- 
 sanity gives way to horrible fear of a sud- 
 den death by violence, and this fear is always 
 upon me. I will take you into my confidence. 
 Do you see that window?" {Points to win- 
 dow on lower floor of the palace.) "Many 
 nights I have placed a dummy of myself 
 there in bold relief with a strong light behind 
 
6o Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 it, and have waited all night here, or in the 
 little kiosh around the corner, heavily 
 armed, awaiting an attack from some un- 
 known foe. I have a most complete shoot- 
 ing gallery in the grounds and practise daily 
 with a revolver and with high-power rifles, 
 and am now an expert shot. I rarely sleep 
 at night in the same place in succession, and 
 many times sleep in one of the small kioshes 
 you see around the garden, where I feel I 
 will be least suspected to be found. I main- 
 tain in the harbor a yacht always under 
 steam, and from my private study I have 
 a secret passage, known only to myself, that 
 leads to a point opposite to where my yacht 
 is moored." 
 
 Helaine — ''You are wonderfully interest- 
 ing. It is like a book, a very fascinating 
 one; but why the secret passage?" 
 
 Sultan — ''Oh, some day my subjects may 
 tire of awaiting my death. I am not popular 
 here." {Stage grows dimmer. Lights begin 
 to twinkle in the distance. Stage becomes 
 dark. The moon begins to appear over 
 Asia.) 
 
 Helaine — {Excitedly.) "There comes 
 the moon; doesn't it rise rapidly?" 
 
 {Neither speaks for a moment.) 
 
 Sultan — "In that direction is our future, 
 Asia. We have done our best in Europe and 
 
Act II 6 1 
 
 now our power is on the wane. There {he 
 points)^ ah I Asia! Moslem from Persia to 
 China, from China to Arabia, Arabia to the 
 Soudan, Egypt to Morocco; undeveloped, 
 wonderfully rich in mineral wealth and fer- 
 tility of the soil; oh, Asia, with your latent 
 potentialities, when your Aladdin's lamp is 
 rubbed, what greatness will be thine I" 
 {Turns towards West.) "Europe, our pos- 
 sessions here were won with the sword, and 
 by the sword will some day be taken from us. 
 Moslem and Christian cannot unify, and it 
 takes unity in a nation to make it great. 
 Helaine, I suppose you think that I am a very 
 peculiar old man. I am." {He sits down 
 and takes her hand.) "Do you know that 
 this is the first time I can appreciate why 
 you Europeans say we Turks do not know 
 the true meaning of love." {Sighs.) "I 
 think that I can now understand how it is 
 with them to be contented with one woman 
 through life as confidant, companion, mis- 
 tress and wife. I hope, my dear, that you 
 will believe me when I tell you that you are 
 the first woman whom I have ever met with 
 whom I cared to discuss such personal mat- 
 ters as I have with you. Somehow, I felt 
 that you would understand. Your Western 
 men seek, select, and then have the sport of 
 conquest and rivalry in mating. We, Sultans, 
 
62 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 take what we can buy, or what is chosen for 
 us for political or personal reasons. My 
 wives are of no intellectual companionship to 
 me. They were not selected by me from out 
 of many and with the pleasure of wooing. 
 They look upon me as their lord and master 
 and not as their equal and do not crave equal 
 rights. Hence, I have never respected the 
 sex. Consequently, I have been refused the 
 delightful companionship a man and woman 
 of equal mental attainment enjoy together." 
 
 Helaine — "I appreciate the great comph- 
 ment you have paid me and understand for 
 the first time your point of view. I will tell 
 you frankly that I have always looked upon 
 you with abhorrence, as the terrible Turk, 
 drowning women as it suited your fancy and 
 murdering Christians when the mood struck 
 you." 
 
 Sultan — {Laughingly.) "I guess there is 
 more truth than poetry in what they say but 
 I am not as bad as I am painted." 
 
 Helaine — "It is now getting late and we 
 must return to the hotel. My afternoon has 
 been delightful and I never shall forget you. 
 Will you please promise that you will instruct 
 your Ambassador not to divulge the informa- 
 tion he has concerning my father?" 
 
 Sultan — {Taking both hands of Helaine 
 in his and looking at her steadily.) "Helaine, 
 
Act II 63 
 
 you are to me the most beautiful and most 
 wonderful woman in the world. If I do this 
 thing will you remain here with me? You 
 need not be afraid of me. You can take me 
 as your companion, your friend; or if you 
 will do me the great honor, I will make you 
 the favorite wife of my harem and your every 
 wish will be a command. You can have your 
 own household, horses, pets, and girl friend 
 visitors if you desire any. I will make you 
 mistress of Dolma Bagtche, the most marvel- 
 ous palace in the world. In it, there is a stair- 
 case built completely of crystal. There was 
 nothing left undone to make it as beautiful as 
 the finest artists of the world could make it. 
 If we tire of it here, my yacht is always in 
 readiness and we can drift around as our 
 fancy suits us. My dear, I may be old enough 
 to be your father, and if I cannot make you 
 love me, you will always respect me. Oh, 
 won't you stay?" 
 
 Helaine — "This is indeed sudden and 
 takes away my breath and thoughts. You 
 speak nobly, but I dislike the term of barter. 
 You make your offer to free my father of 
 scandal conditionally on the terms that I re- 
 main with you. Would this not spoil the no- 
 bility of the deed if it had to be bought with 
 my being?" 
 
64 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Sultan — "Regardless of your father, will 
 you stay?" 
 
 Helaine — {Looking at him steadily and 
 hesitatingly. One of the latticed windows, 
 UfViE, is opened. A woman's head is seen 
 for a moment. A soft heart-rending sob 
 is heard. Helaine sees and hears, but the 
 Sultan does not.) 
 
 Helaine — {Shuddering and standing up.) 
 "Such incarceration would run me mad. 
 Your ways, my dear Sultan, prettily as you 
 have painted them, are not my ways. We 
 could not remain on a plane of mutual un- 
 derstanding. We have been raised too differ- 
 ently. We think differently. What is right 
 in your eyes is horribly wrong in mine. What 
 is right in my eyes would be intolerable in 
 yours. Let us not become sentimental, 
 please." {She places her hand upon his arm, 
 and then laughingly.) "It must be the moon. 
 Oh, look now at the wonderful picture. If 
 I could only paint that. The picturesque pon- 
 toon bridge over the moonlit Golden Horn, 
 with the mosques on the hills of Stamboul in 
 the background. It is exquisite." {She clasps 
 her hands.) 
 
 Sultan — {Arising and taking her by the 
 arm he turns her towards him.) "Ah, yes, it 
 is indeed beautiful, but it pales into insignifi- 
 cance by your wondrous beauty, dear Helaine. 
 
Act II 65 
 
 Do you know that when I first beheld your 
 charming and graceful figure, I didn't care 
 to see your face" {Pause.) , "but when I saw 
 your face, I forgot your figure." {Pause.) 
 { Takes both her hands in his.) "And when — 
 and when I looked into your eyes, I forgot 
 your face, I forgot existence. Helalne, God 
 put a curse on man when he made your eyes. 
 Oh! say you will stay with me." 
 
 Helaine — {Much perturbed.) "Oh, your 
 Majesty, you frighten me with your beauti- 
 ful love making." {Puts her hands to her 
 face.) "I am afraid the moon is likewise 
 turning my head. It is all so beautifully 
 romantic like Omar Khayyam's poem. Have 
 you similar Turkish poets?" 
 
 Sultan — "Many, and most of their 
 poems treat of youth, beauty, and love. 
 
 There grew a rose more wonderful than ever 
 
 Sadi sang. 
 Its loveliness, occult and strange, a rapture 
 
 and a pang. 
 Its petals had the pulsing touch that shakes 
 
 the blood with fire. 
 In its warm depths was the avatar of unas- 
 
 suaged desire, 
 Hid scents and hushed Seraglio dreams were 
 
 in its subtle breath. 
 
66 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 The madness of Maenad's joy, the tender- 
 ness of death. 
 Its soul was all the mystic east. 
 Its heart was all the South. 
 'Til love and tenderness transmuted it 
 To the dark rose of your mouth." 
 
 Helaine — "Oh — beautiful." {He tries 
 to draw her towards him,) {Agitated.) 
 *'Don't — behave! and you must not talk to 
 me in this manner again to-night." {She pulls 
 away and runs quickly down the steps closely 
 followed by the Sultan. As she reaches front 
 stage she turns to Sultan.) "Please take me 
 to my escorts!" 
 
 Sultan — "You must hsten to me. I have 
 been fairer to you than ever before to a 
 woman. A side to my nature that I never 
 before knew existed until you brought it out, 
 has been revealed, and I will continue to be 
 frank with you. You will appreciate it later 
 if not now. I don't want you under any form 
 of deceit; I respect you too highly for that, 
 but have you I must and shall. My will has 
 gone too long unbridled to now be thwarted. 
 It is impossible." {More rapidly.) "Your 
 father is not in trouble. Your letter to him 
 was intercepted by the most unscrupulous 
 band of crooks on the continent. You were 
 dilped and brought here to me as a prize for 
 
Act II 67 
 
 sale for 500,000 francs, and as Kuni said, 
 'cheap at the price.' " 
 
 Helaine — {During the above recital He- 
 laine has been backing across the stage with 
 the Sultan following her and fairly hurling 
 the words at her, but she stops and now 
 straightens up to her full height and with fire 
 in her eyes she in turn hurls defiance.) "If 
 you dare to do this awful thing it will be your 
 undoing, so help me God! I feel it in every 
 cell of my body. A woman's intuition is as 
 unexplainable as it is correct. A great hue 
 and cry will be raised for me all over Europe. 
 Rewards offered will surpass many times your 
 paltry 500,000 francs. My government will 
 blow your little old ginger-bread palace into 
 atoms. Stand aside, and let me pass, you 
 monster!" 
 
 Sultan — {Seizing her by both wrists.) 
 "You are beautiful always, but when you are 
 angry your beauty is not earthly, it is hellish, 
 and sets my blood on fire. Helaine, I will 
 have you even if I knew for sure the penalty 
 would be" {Slowly.) "that every shred of 
 flesh be stripped from my bones, every artery 
 a shooting pang, and my soul eternally 
 damned." {He grabs her and crushes her 
 to his breast and showers her face with 
 kisses. She struggles fiercely and finally 
 partly freeing herself she seizes his beard 
 
68 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 with her left hand and rains slaps on his face 
 with her right hand, screams and then faints.) 
 
 SuLTx^N — {Rubbing his face, after laying 
 her gently on the ground.) "Such spirit, such 
 fire, such a nature, will rejuvenate me and 
 keep warm for a long time this old blood of 
 mine. My heart is beating like that of a 
 youth of twenty." {Claps his hands a 
 couple of times. A big eunuch appears and 
 deeply salaams.) "Place her in the top 
 dairi of Dolma Bagtche, the one without 
 windows and guard her well if you do not 
 want tortures unbelievable heaped upon 
 your head." 
 
 {Eunuch salaams again and taking He- 
 laine up in his arms makes exit L2E through 
 palace door. 
 
 The Sultan, rubbing his face, goes to the 
 small wicker outdoor bench LiE by steps of 
 palace and sits down, reflects, rubs his face 
 again, gets up, lights a cigarette, walks across 
 stage toward RiE. Blows out puff smoke — 
 rubs face — shrugs shoulders, laughs and 
 makes exit RiE.) 
 
 Curtain 
 
Act II 69 
 
 Scene 3 — Shooting Gallery in the Garden of 
 Yildiz 
 
 Time — early next day 
 
 ( There is shown in this scene part of the 
 garden on stage R, and at hack a brick wall 
 with small gate in it between C rear and right 
 corner rear. From L C to wings on the left 
 is shown the interior of shooting gallery. 
 This is rigged up as a one-story affair with 
 targets shown in distant rear. These are 
 regular bull's-eye targets, and also a target 
 made the size of a man in profile which is 
 placed closer to front of gallery than the 
 bull's-eye targets. A counter runs partly 
 across the gallery from left to right and on 
 this counter is placed miniature targets which 
 indicate just where the bullets hit the distant 
 targets when they are fired upon. A bench 
 is placed at extrefne left end of gallery. 
 Against each side of the center of the counter 
 is a rack containing revolvers and numerous 
 rifles. 
 
 At rise of curtain, there is no one on the 
 stage. A moment later the Sultan comes in 
 from R3E along the path. He wears his 
 brown lounging gown, and walks as if in a 
 pensive mood. He walks into the gallery, 
 takes a look around, and picks up a rifle and 
 
70 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 shoots three times very quickly at a target. 
 The indicator on the counter shows the bull's- 
 eye was rimmed three times. He tears out the 
 sheet, examines the record, and as he tears 
 it up — he smiles. He then picks up two of 
 the pistols and aims them at the target made 
 in the figure of a man, and shooting with both 
 hands at once empties the chambers of both 
 guns as fast as he can pull the triggers. He 
 leans over the low counter to examine the re- 
 sult of his work. 
 
 Mizzet Pasha appears at this point from 
 R3E, pauses a moment and then walks hur- 
 riedly to the gallery and enters, bowing and 
 giving the Turkish salute.) 
 
 Mizzet — "Good morning, your Majesty, 
 how many have you sent to their perdition 
 this morning?" 
 
 Sultan — {Turning around.) "Mizzet, I 
 can now hit that image every time, even with 
 my eyes shut. I beheve I will have a con- 
 trivance rigged up so I can shoot at the run- 
 ning figure of a man. How do ^^ou suggest 
 it can be done?" 
 
 Mizzet — "Is it for this that you sent for 
 me so early? I flattered myself that it was on 
 a matter of either state or finance." 
 
 Sultan — {Laying down the pistols.) 
 "Tush, your mind runs to money as fleas to 
 a dog. I sent for you to ask if your stock 
 
Act II 71 
 
 campaign Is fully planned, and ready for the 
 launching. Something happened yesterday 
 that decided me fully In this matter of revok- 
 ing the Constitution." 
 
 MizzET — "Everything is In readiness. I 
 only await your order." 
 
 Sultan — "How great a sum will be neces- 
 sary?" 
 
 MizzET — "That depends on how great a 
 scale we operate. It Is my present idea to 
 start with a fair short line of stocks, and then 
 to continue to sell until the market breaks 
 three points. Then watch to see If there is 
 a reaction. If the market rallies over three 
 points, we will wait until a soft spot develops 
 and then again sell It off three points; we can 
 then gradually work It off a few fractions or 
 so every day. It will not be long before we 
 will begin to catch stop loss orders and get a 
 following on the bear side that will help the 
 thing along. After we have accumulated the 
 line of short stock desired we can then start 
 a bear propaganda through the press and oth- 
 erways, and develop a loss of confidence In 
 the stocks In which we are operating. It will 
 be an easy matter to drop it sharply when the 
 longs try to unload and we can take in our 
 short stock at practically our own prices." 
 
 Sultan — "How much will be needed for 
 the initial outlay?" 
 
72 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 MizzET — "About eighty thousand Turkish 
 pounds." 
 
 Sultan — ( Taking from his pocket a wal- 
 let from which he takes out several slips and 
 signs them with a fountain pen which he takes 
 from his vest pocket.) "Here are orders on 
 the Bank of England, Bank of France, Bank 
 of Berlin and Bank of Holland for 20,000 
 pounds each." {He extends them to Mizzet, 
 who takes them.) "I am taking this from 
 my reserve fund, as it is a little too early to 
 extract from the domestic strong box. It will 
 take a few weeks to get things running in the 
 good old way, but I am expecting any moment 
 this morning the Irade from the ministers for 
 my signature, which will repeal the accursed 
 thing." 
 
 Mizzet — {Placing the four slips in his 
 wallet.) "I shall send the despatches at 
 once." 
 
 Sultan — {Picking up a high-powered 
 rifle.) "If I hit that small target yonder we 
 shall have success; if I miss it, we shall per- 
 haps lose." {Takes long aim and fires.) 
 
 Mizzet — {Laughing.) "Superstition." 
 {/It the crack of the rifle, the indicator at the 
 Sultan's elbow registers, and the record shows 
 that the bullet has rimmed the bull's-eye. The 
 Sultan brings the target forestage.) 
 
Act II 73 
 
 Sultan — *'Now, what do you think of 
 this? Half of the bullet is in the bull's-eye, 
 and half is outside." 
 
 MizzET — "It looks as if we were going to 
 do both, win and lose." 
 
 Sultan — "Anyway, the die is cast." 
 
 (Enter RsE J avid Bey. He is shown in 
 by Master of Ceremony and brought to the 
 shooting gallery. Javid stands outside while 
 Master of Ceremony enters, salaams deep- 
 ly, and announces.) 
 
 Master of Ceremony — "Your Majesty, 
 Javid Bey, Deputy from Salonika, is with- 
 out." 
 
 Sultan — {Vexed.) "This is my recrea- 
 tion hour, and no business will be entertained 
 by me at this time. What means this viola- 
 tion?" 
 
 Master of Ceremony — "Your Majesty 
 left word with me this morning to send you 
 at once any word or message from the Grand 
 Visor. This gentleman says he comes from 
 him and says he must deliver himself the mes- 
 sage to you." 
 
 Sultan — "Admit him." {Javid Bey is 
 admitted. He salaams, giving the turkish sa- 
 lute, the tamena. Master of Ceremony bows 
 and withdraws, exit R3E. ) 
 
 Javid Bey — "Your Majesty, I regret 
 deeply to cause you the annoyance of my 
 
74 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 presence at this hour, but I was commissioned 
 by the Ministers to bring a certain document 
 to you, and crave to speak a word to you in 
 private." 
 
 MizzET — {Bowing to Sultan and to Ja- 
 vid.) "Pray excuse me, I shall leave at 
 once." 
 
 Sultan — "Until later." 
 
 MizzET — "Au revoir." 
 
 Javid Bey — {Taking from his pocket a 
 document and extending it to the Sultan.) 
 "Here is the Irade prepared at your com- 
 mand by your Ministers. It is now ready for 
 your signature." ( The Sultan takes the docu- 
 ment, opens it, and sits down on small bench 
 at L of counter and reads it intently, nodding 
 his head as he reads. He takes out fountain 
 pen and starts to sign the paper.) 
 
 Javid Bey — "Before signing that decree, 
 I crave a few words with you, O, Sultan, as 
 Is my right under that Constitution which you 
 are about to destroy." 
 
 Sultan — {Looking up.) "Yes, but to re- 
 place it with a broader one." 
 
 Javid Bey — "This one suits us, your Maj- 
 esty, and in destroying it you must realize 
 you are killing a nation's beautiful hope, the 
 hope to it as that to a dying man who has 
 been promised life, as that to a tongue 
 parched with thirst that has been promised 
 
Act II 75 
 
 water, as that to a soul in damnation which 
 has been promised resurrection." 
 
 Sultan — "Your manners amuse me, and I 
 shall hear you out. But in the beginning, I 
 say it will do no good. My mind is made 
 up. I further warn you to be careful." 
 
 Javid Bey — "Your Majesty, to us who 
 light so hard for opportunities, compared 
 with you who have them thrust upon you, it 
 is a pitiful sight to see them go so neglected. 
 You are the head of the Empire, the head of 
 the Church, ruler over land and sea, body 
 and soul, and you can make or ruin a nation. 
 Oh, Sultan, consider us, your subjects. If you 
 could but realize that this dumb subjugation 
 is stifling our national ambition, our hope, our 
 love of country, and our love of you. Your 
 Majesty, you have great wisdom, great- 
 er than your smartest enemies give you 
 credit. With your wisdom, can't you per- 
 ceive that by allowing the Constitution to re- 
 main in effect the Empire will be built up, 
 commerce will expand, the country will grow 
 up in importance, old industries will be re- 
 vived, and new ones spring up. Our country, 
 so rich in possibilities, will blossom out like 
 a rose, and be in truth one of the richest in 
 the world. Sufficient time has not elapsed 
 since summer to do much transformation, but 
 give us time to awake from the long state of 
 
76 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 lethargy, and allow us to realize that we wear 
 no longer the yoke of suppression, and we 
 shall develop like magic. With the increased 
 national wealth, your wealth will increase, 
 double and multiply many times. Your name 
 will go down from generation to generation, 
 second in honor to none save that of Moham- 
 med. Kill the hope now in the repeal of this 
 Constitution, you can never revive it with fu- 
 ture promises and I predict that we Young 
 Turks will live to be made to serve under a 
 foreign flag." 
 
 Sultan — "If you have finished, I shall 
 now sign the edict and you may depart." 
 (The Sultan takes up the pen and signs.) 
 
 Javid — {In anger.) "Your Majesty, you 
 are now committing a blot on civilization. 
 Are subjects to be dogs? Is your life to be 
 made up of mere pleasure? If this is your 
 ambition, why, in the name of Allah, don't 
 you abdicate and go where abounds pleasure 
 to your heart's delight. You certainly can 
 have none here. Shut up like you are in this 
 prison of a place is enough to drive one mad. 
 Take your yacht and friends, go where pleas- 
 ure dictates, and we will pay the bills. You 
 won't have many more years to enjoy them, 
 and you will be a long time dead. Allow 
 some one to rule in your palace who will ap- 
 preciate the responsibilities of life sufliciently 
 
Act II 77 
 
 to realize that personal enjoyment and even 
 personal existence is only temporal, and that 
 real existence is what can be made of one's 
 opportunities to create on time a lasting im- 
 pression. Turkey is in dire need of a helping 
 hand, and she looks appealingly to one that 
 throttles her." (Sultan, who has been show- 
 ing signs of anger during the above discourse, 
 can now restrain himself no longer. He 
 jumps up in anger.) 
 
 Sultan — "And who are you to come here 
 and criticize his Sultan to his face? You are 
 a fine example to set before the nation. In 
 your Utopian expression you condone good 
 behavior and uphold the law, but you your- 
 self have seriously transgressed the law you 
 wish upheld by insulting your Sultan. Your 
 spirit may be patriotic, but you are falsely led 
 by high ambitions and unwise doctrines, and 
 as a false teacher an example must be made 
 of you." {He claps hands three times. Two 
 officers with swords drawn spring out of un- 
 seen niches in the wall, LiE.) "You see I 
 am always prepared for such patriotic luna- 
 tics as you. All rulers are subjected to the 
 same, and many foolhardy ones lose their 
 lives in similar fervid outbreaks." {To the 
 officers.) "Take him to the prison and put 
 him in a cell under the water level. By the 
 time he next sees the light of day, his ideas 
 
78 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 may have undergone a change. I have 
 spoken." 
 
 Javid — "I, too, have spoken, and I hope 
 you will think over my words. If so, my sac- 
 rifice is well worth while." ( The Sultan mo- 
 tions them away. The soldiers salute, and 
 with Javid between them march out through 
 doors towards RjE. As they reach the little 
 iron door in the zvall they stop and make a 
 sign. Javid takes the hand of each in his.) 
 
 Kasha Bey, First Officer — "Brave 
 Brother, we are with you to the last. Your 
 words were nobly spoken. If the old fox had 
 not been moved by them he would have shot 
 you where you stood. His hand repeatedly 
 sought the revolver in his smoking robe." 
 
 Javid — "I thank you, comrades. The re- 
 peal of that Constitution means war. Word 
 at the proper time will be passed you. In the 
 meantime" {He lays his finger across his 
 lips.) 
 
 Mauhamid Bey, Second Officer — 
 {Opening the little iron door.) "Hurry, we 
 need you too badly to risk your staying 
 longer." {All salute, and Javid makes exit 
 through door. Officers walk of. Sultan puts 
 down the rifle he had been handling, sits 
 down, and lights cigarette, and looks at ceil- 
 ing contemplatively .) 
 
 Curtain 
 
ACT III 
 
 Time — Some weeks later on a Friday Morn- 
 ing, 
 
 Scene i — The Dairi of Helaine in the Harem 
 of Dolw.a Bagtche Palace 
 
 {A room is shown without any windows. 
 The ceiling is open to the sky. On the walls 
 are rugs. Doors at L2E and R2E, draped. 
 Both are draped with kalims. On the floor 
 is a large silk rug. At R C there is a small 
 fountain with some vines trailing to the floor. 
 Around the room are several settees and di- 
 vans. A large divan is placed slightly rear, 
 LC, To left of fountain is a table with sev- 
 eral little boxes on it and vase with a rose in 
 it. There is a bird cage hanging from each 
 side of the aperture in the ceiling, zvith ca- 
 naries in each. At C rear there is a very 
 small square hole in the wall, about two feet 
 long and two feet wide, heavily latticed. 
 There are no pictures on the walls, and no 
 chairs in the room. At rise of curtain, pig- 
 eons fly in the opening in this roof and alight 
 79 
 
8o Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 on the fountain, Helaine is seen seated on 
 divan L C and seated to right side of her is 
 a big negress fanning her, and watching her 
 plait some designs with horse hair. Helaine 
 is dressed in European negligee. The negress 
 is dressed very simply in white loose robe with 
 cord for belt. She wears sandals. Back of 
 Helaine stands a pretty white girl of about 
 seventeen, brushing Helaine' s long hair. She 
 is dressed simply in blue and wears sandals 
 and no stockings.) 
 
 Dehlias — "My little Almond Blossom 
 knits cunningly. She uses the same stitch my 
 mother taught me." 
 
 Helaine — "From whence came your 
 mother?" 
 
 Dehlias — "From the Soudan. That is 
 where most of us black people come who 
 serve the white in the Levant." 
 
 Helaine — "I was taught by a Soudanese 
 negress to weave this stitch on one of my 
 father's estates in Algeria. We used the long 
 hair from the mane and tail of the beautiful 
 Arabian steeds. She taught me to make 
 chains, anklets, armlets, and belts in the same 
 stitch." 
 
 Dehlias — "Yes, and I can make bridles, 
 mats, and even ropes." 
 
 Helaine— "Ropes?" 
 
Act III 8i 
 
 Dehlias — "By simply weaving the smaller 
 strands into larger ones and then by using a 
 circular plait, the larger ones are plaited into 
 a rope and a strong one." {By this time 
 Masallia, the girl brushing Helaine's hair, 
 has finished and after arranging it in a he- 
 coming plait, she makes her exit R3E, taking 
 the brush with her.) 
 
 Helaine — {Stops work and looks a mo- 
 ment at the opening in the ceiling.) '*A rope, 
 do show me." {She gives the knitting to the 
 negress, gets up and walks around looking at 
 the opening. Comes down stage.) "It is 
 possible. With a lariat I can easily lasso 
 that cornice." {Stops in meditation.) "But 
 outside help is essential. My absence would 
 soon be noticed." 
 
 Dehlias — "Come, my cloudlet, here is 
 how the rope is made. I have a large one 
 that I have just finished. I shall bring it to 
 you after midday." 
 
 Helaine — {Running to her and bending 
 over to watch a moment and then straighten- 
 ing up.) "Why, of course, Dehlias taught 
 me that, but I had forgotten it." 
 
 Dehlias — "Dehlias, why that is my moth- 
 er's name. I was named after her." {She 
 places her finger on Helaine^ s arm.) "Was 
 she a little lame and did she have the tribal 
 
82 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 tattoo like this?" {She hares her arm above 
 the elbow.) 
 
 Helaine — {Excitedly and in amaze- 
 ment.) "Yes indeed. It was on her right 
 cheek here." {She places her finger on her 
 right cheek bone.) "Four little parallel 
 dashes." 
 
 Dehlias — "It must be my mother." {She 
 kisses Helaine' s arm and hand joyously.) 
 "Oh! tell me of her. Is she still alive? I 
 have heard nothing in fifteen years." 
 
 Helaine — "To be sure. We could not 
 get along without our Dehlias. She is head 
 of the servants of the household. Isn't this 
 a narrow world?" {Knock is heard.) 
 
 Voice — "May I come in?" 
 
 Helaine — "Certainly and welcome." 
 
 {Enter from L2E a very pretty girl. Bru- 
 nette, about twenty-four, dressed in latest 
 French fashion, but wearing a hat and a yash- 
 mak {veil to the eyes)^ zvhich she lowers as 
 soon as she enters.) 
 
 EvETTE — "I did not wish to disturb you 
 before you had your rose bath, most beautiful 
 one."^ 
 
 Helaine — {Arising and in astonish- 
 ment.) "Why, Evette, you appear all ready 
 for a promenade on the Champs Elysees." 
 {She kisses her on both cheeks and the salute 
 is returned,) 
 
Act III 83 
 
 EvETTE — {Laughing and dropping down 
 on the divan.) "You see his Majesty humors 
 me by allowing me to dress as my fancy suits 
 me, and as I take the French fashion jour- 
 nals, I can keep right up to the dernier mode. 
 Do I appear ridiculous? I miss the admira- 
 tion most women crave and get in new 
 clothes." 
 
 Helaine — "You look most charming in 
 anything you wear, but you appear to be go- 
 ing out." 
 
 EvETTE — "I am, my honey ladened bee." 
 {She gives Helaine an affectionate pat on the 
 cheek.) "His Majesty has honored me to- 
 day by inviting me to be one of the favorite 
 few of his wives who accompany him to the 
 Mosque for the Salamlik which is held every 
 Friday." 
 
 Helaine — "How delightful. Tell me 
 more, but first let's have some refreshments. 
 How rude of me not to have thought of you 
 sooner." {She claps her hands twice, a 
 pause, again she claps and then thrice. This 
 time from R2E in bounds a beautiftd girl of 
 sixteen with flowers entwined in her hair, car- 
 rying a large basket filled with rose leaves. 
 She is simply dressed in white and wears no 
 stockings hut sandals. She comes forward 
 quickly, kneels at Helaine's side, takes her 
 
84 fVithin the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 hand and looks up affectionately into her 
 face. ) 
 
 Ester — "Oh, pray pardon the delay, I 
 was just returning from the garden gathering 
 rose leaves for your bath. My beloved Star, 
 how may I serve you?" 
 
 Helaine — {Patting her on the head.) 
 "Run quick and bring us some sherbet, but 
 have you forgotten your manners? Do you 
 not see I have a beautiful lady visiting me?" 
 
 Ester — {Getting up hurriedly and grace- 
 fully giving the Turkish temena and then shy- 
 ly running out of the room.) 
 
 Evette — "What a beautiful slave ! When 
 did you get her? Do let her come to visit 
 me!" 
 
 Helaine — {Sadly.) "Oh, she came as 
 part of the fixtures of the dairi when I was 
 placed here. She is a bright little thing, and 
 seems to love me dearly. I call her Ester 
 from her starry blue eyes. She will let no 
 one else but herself give me a rose bath. 
 She speaks my language and is a great com- 
 fort to me." 
 
 {Ester returns from R2E with two cups of 
 sherbet and sinks on the floor beside He- 
 laine. The negress is behind the divan and 
 fans them with a big palm leaf fan. Both sip 
 the sherbet.) 
 
 Helaine — "Now please tell me about the 
 
Act III 85 
 
 Salamllk. I have heard they were held, but 
 did not know exactly what was done." 
 
 EvETTE — [Draining the cup, putting it on 
 the floor and then taking out cigarette pa- 
 pers and tobacco from her bag she begins to 
 roll a cigarette. Ester gets up and gets a 
 match from a small stand behind the fountain 
 and lights the match for her. Evette puffs 
 the cigarette. Ester then brings her mistress 
 a little box from the table, from which He- 
 laine takes a very small cigarette with a hol- 
 low stem, and places in the stem a long am- 
 ber cigarette holder. Ester holds the lighted 
 match while Helaine lights the cigarette.) 
 
 Helaine — "I could never learn to roll a 
 cigarette like you do. The only kind I enjoy 
 are these scented Russian cigarettes." 
 
 Evette — "They are too mild, and the 
 scent destroys the flavor for me. But to re- 
 turn to the Salamlik. Friday is the Moslem 
 Sunday in Turkey (laughing) ; we have 
 three Sundays in a week, Christian, Jewish 
 and Moslem; so, every Friday, his Majesty 
 goes to worship at his favorite Mosque. 
 This is a great occasion. Preceding him 
 to the door of the Mosque go all the court 
 attaches. Pashas and Dignitaries. Several 
 regiments of soldiers led by bands of music 
 playing the Sultan's March, march down the 
 route of passage, and for a long ways line 
 
86 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 both sides of the entrance to the Mosque. 
 In coupes he takes a few of his favorite 
 wives. A eunuch guards each coupe, and the 
 head eunuch overlooks the entire equipage. 
 This is the only way we get to see the outside 
 world, and it Is quite a treat to one of us 
 to get the invitation." 
 
 Helaine— "Do you get out of the 
 coupe?" 
 
 EvETTE — "No, indeed, my dear girl. We 
 are too carefully guarded for that. We 
 must keep the bhnds closed while the coupes 
 are at rest, and wear our yashmak all the 
 while." 
 
 Helaine — "How I would love to go." 
 
 EvETTE — "It would be impossible until 
 you convinced him you could be trusted." 
 
 Helaine — "Do you love him?" 
 
 EvETTE — "I do not know. I was brought 
 up with the Idea that If I kept myself pretty 
 and pleasing that some day I might become 
 the Sultan's bride. I, at least, have achieved 
 that great and envious honor and am con- 
 tent. What more could I desire?" 
 
 Helaine — "I know, but love does not per- 
 mit the sharing with others the object of 
 one's desires." 
 
 Evette — "I would not permit It could I 
 help It. That is why I sobbed that night 
 when I saw you two in the garden and heard 
 
Act III 87 
 
 the Sultan appealing to you to stay. I 
 thought that you would supplant me In his 
 eyes, and I hated you." 
 
 Helaine — "I have never seen the Sultan 
 since that night. Do you hate me now? 
 Don't you want me to leave?" {She places 
 her hand on Evette's arm). 
 
 EvETTE — {With downcast eyes.) "I 
 
 like you well, but wish you were not here." 
 
 Helaine — {To Ester.) "Ester, my 
 
 dear, run down stairs and bring us up some 
 
 Turkish delight." 
 
 {Ester jumps up and runs of stage ^ exit 
 L2E.) 
 
 Helaine — {Impulsively.) "Let me take 
 your place In the coupe to-day. See, I give 
 you my locket which you admired so much." 
 {She takes of the locket and chain and 
 places it around Evette's neck.) "Do let me 
 go. I shall do nothing to reveal my pres- 
 ence, and no one shall be the wiser. I shall 
 go heavily veiled. I am consumed with curi- 
 osity to behold a Selamllk." 
 
 Deklias— {Pleadingly.) "But this Is 
 our day to go fishing, my mistress; have you 
 forgotten?" 
 
 Helaine — {Impatiently.) "We can go 
 later to-day, on my return." 
 
 EvETTE — {Clasping the locket in her 
 hands and bending over excitedly.) "Oh, 
 
88 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 but do you know what would happen to us if 
 you are detected?" 
 
 Helaine — "Nothing worse could happen 
 to me than what is liable to happen at any 
 moment, as long as I remain here." 
 
 EvETTE — "Oh, yes there is. We would 
 all be tied up in a sack, and at midnight we 
 would be quietly dropped in the Bosphorus, 
 kerplunk." {Evette looks very serious and 
 points her finger downward.) "More than 
 one poor girl has gone that route." 
 
 Helaine — "Horrors, is that real? I 
 thought that was only in stories." 
 
 Evette — "If you are detected we shall 
 soon find out." {Shakes her head.) "It is 
 impossible; let's not talk about it jFurther." 
 {She arises to go.) 
 
 Dehlias — "Don't attempt it, my mistress. 
 We may all lose our lives. Are not you 
 satisfied to be in a Sultan's harem? There 
 isn't a girl in the Empire who wouldn't give 
 twenty years of her life for your place here. 
 Please go fishing now in the morning while 
 it's cool and the fish are biting. See, I have 
 the bait all ready." {She runs to the fountain 
 and takes up a jar from the floor behind it 
 and smiles.) "Behold!" 
 
 Helaine — {Impetuously.) "Don't try 
 to detain me. I must go." 
 
 Evette — {Shaking her head.) "My 
 
Act III 89 
 
 eunuch would know you instantly. It is im- 
 possible." 
 
 {A knock is heard without. 
 
 All look up inquiringly — pause). 
 
 Helaine — "Enter." 
 
 {Enter Mustafa Sadi, the head eunuch to 
 the Sultan, DL2E. He is a tall black negro. 
 He wears frock coat, black pants and fez. 
 He comes before Helaine and salaams. He 
 has in his hand an oblong box of dark pol- 
 ished wood.) 
 
 Helaine— "Well?" 
 
 Mustafa Sadi — {Extending the box to 
 her.) "A present from my master, his Maj- 
 esty, and his compliments, oh beautiful 
 rose." {Helaine takes the box and opens 
 it and takes out a necklace of sapphires and 
 diamonds which glitters like fire. She holds 
 it up.) 
 
 All the Women — {In admiration.) 
 "Oh I Oh! Oh!" 
 
 Helaine — {Still holding it up.) "It is 
 exquisite." {She places it on her neck.) 
 "Are they not becoming, Evette?" 
 
 {Evette, at the sight of the necklace, is vis- 
 ibly affected. She turns pale, and draws 
 back, eyes snapping and fist clenched, breast 
 heaving; she says nothing. The eunuch turns 
 and talks to Dehlias.) 
 
 Helaine — {Looking at Evette intently, 
 
90 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 then at the eunuch, and then in a low tone to 
 Evette.) "If I send it back will you let me 
 go in your place?" 
 
 Evette — {Looks from the necklace to 
 Helaine, then at the eunuch and hack at 
 Helaine, and eagerly.) "Yes, yes!" {She 
 clasps her hands and shuts her eyes.) 
 
 {Helaine takes of the necklace, places it 
 hack in the box, and holds it out to the 
 eunuch.) 
 
 Helaine — "Return this to your master. 
 It is beautiful, but I will not accept it. He 
 will understand." 
 
 ( The eunuch looks dumbfounded. Dehlias 
 makes a protesting exclamation and looks 
 horrified.) 
 
 Helaine — {Still holding out the box.) 
 "Do as I bid you, adieu." ( The negro takes 
 the box, salaams and makes his exit through 
 L2E.) 
 
 Dehlias — {As negro makes exit.) "Oh, 
 mistress, what have you done? We will be 
 in disfavor and . . ." 
 
 Helaine — {Rushing up to Dehlias.) 
 "Evette has consented. I am to go in her 
 place." {She jumps up and down in joy.) 
 
 Evette — "But how shall we keep the se- 
 cret from my eunuch who goes with me?" 
 
 Dehlias — "Send word for your eunuch 
 to come here for you when it is time to go. 
 
Act in 91 
 
 He is my brother. When he comes, she will 
 go in your place. I shall arrange her yash- 
 mak so no one will know her. Come, my 
 dove, if your head is set on going." 
 
 Helaine — {Excitedly.) "I have a pre- 
 sentiment that this will lead to my escape, but 
 have no fear, Evette, darling, I shall never 
 betray you, and promise to return here with- 
 out reveahng myself." {She leads Evette 
 to the door, L2E, and kisses her.) "Oh, 
 hurry back." {Skipping^ hack across the 
 room and taking Dehlias by the arm.) 
 ''Dear Dehlias, you are just like your mother 
 was to me." {They make hurried exit, 
 R2E.) 
 
 Curtain 
 
 Scene 2 — The Selamlik at the Mamidieh 
 Jam Mosque 
 
 Time — Later Friday morning — about noon 
 
 Exterior Scene. Full Stage 
 
 Mosque 
 
 {At L., slightly projecting from the wings, 
 is seen the front' of the Mosque. Steps cov- 
 ered with strip of black carpet lead to the 
 court in front of the Mosque. Wall along 
 rear stage. Tops of Yildiz Palace and Ki- 
 
92 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 oshes seen over the wall. Driveway comes 
 in RiE, exits RsE. At rise of curtain pass- 
 ing to and fro of natives; they gather at 
 spots in groups as expecting some event. Car- 
 riages drive from RiE to R3E, containing 
 diplomats, and ladies, attaches, secretaries, 
 krevasses in full livery, etc. The Ambassa- 
 dorial parties later make their appearance on 
 the lower roof of the palace visible over 
 the wall a little to the R of C rear. The 
 ladies are seated and the men await behind 
 their chairs. Animated conversation. The 
 Master of Ceremony is present and can he 
 recognized by his long black frock coat, red 
 fez, and single order on his left breast. He 
 is very busy arranging the ladies and joking 
 with the gentlemen. Knots of people in- 
 crease in the square before the Mosque. 
 Foreigners are seen among them. Ameri- 
 cans, English, French, Italians, Russians, 
 Greeks, Armenians, Arabs, Jews, Kurds, 
 mingle and form and re-form groups all in 
 an expectant attitude. Raymond McKen- 
 sie makes his appearance from RiE, walks 
 fore stage C, lights a cigarette and looks cu- 
 riously at the parties on the roof. Some of 
 them bow to him and he makes a deep bow 
 in return, graceftdly szvinging his hat almost 
 to the ground. The men on the roof in re- 
 turn lift their hats. He then stations him- 
 
Act in 93 
 
 self at RiE. The muezzin makes his ap- 
 pearance on the top of the single minaret 
 visible on the stage. It is just to the right 
 of the main entrance to the Mosque, about 
 
 In a musical wail like a flute he gives the 
 call to prayer.) 
 
 Muezzin— "Allah Akber. La Illah II 
 Allah. Allah Akber La Illah II Allah. Es- 
 sehadou Allah II Lah II Allah. Essehadou 
 Anneh Mohammedan Resool-ul-Lah. Haa- 
 yah Allah Al Lah. Haayah Al ul-Fellah. 
 Allah Akber. La Illah Lah II Allah." 
 ( This is given to the four directions. A band 
 is heard in the distance. It gradually comes 
 nearer and nearer. The marching of sol- 
 diers is heard mingled with the commands 
 of officers. The hand makes its appearance, 
 R2E, playing the Sultan's March by Doni- 
 zetti, followed by nu7nerous Pashas and of- 
 ficers in dark blue coats with heavy gold braid 
 and white trousers and red fezzes. The offi- 
 cers and Pashas array themselves on the rear 
 side {up stage) of the entrance to the 
 mosque. The soldiers dressed in blue line 
 up against the rear wall. The people crowd 
 themselves in LiE and RiE. Two more 
 bands followed by two regiments of sol- 
 diers, first dressed in green and second 
 in white, come on, one following the other, 
 
94 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 through R2E. The officers line up with the 
 others by the mosque. The soldiers line up 
 before back wall and in space between R2E 
 and R3E. Follozving the soldiers come three 
 coupes in succession. Seated with the driv- 
 ers are black eunuchs. Hitched to the 
 coupes are beautiful white horses. The first 
 two coupes contain women and children, the 
 last one, a single occupant, a woman veiled 
 to the eyes. The coupes are driven across 
 stage to L. The Chief Eunuch, on horse- 
 back, follows them. Here the eunuchs and 
 drivers dismount. The horses are taken of 
 the stage and the carriages are wheeled in a 
 row to the left of the entrance to the mosque, 
 down stage, facing the R side of the stage. 
 The last coupe containing the single occu- 
 pant is placed foremost down stage. The 
 eunuch stands behind it among bystanders. 
 As the last coupe was driven across the 
 stage, Raymond exclaims.) 
 
 Raymond — "Did you see what I saw? — 
 Those veils are maddening! Those eyes! 
 Whew!! Bebe!" {He gesticulates and 
 blows a kiss of his fingers towards the sky. 
 As soon as the horses are taken of the stage 
 Raymond strolls across the stage, and as he 
 is almost before the window of Helaine's 
 coupe, she places her head out as if to speak 
 to him. The eunuch runs around the coupe 
 
Act III 95 
 
 from the rear just at this time and quickly 
 slams the blinds and stands by the window 
 with arms folded, glai'ing at Raymond, who 
 takes up a position just in rear of the coupe 
 and stands on the outskirt of a small throng 
 of curiosity seekers. Just then a bugle is 
 heard, followed by the rattle of carriage 
 wheels and distant shouts. They grow loud- 
 er. The Sultan drives on the stage from 
 R2E in an open victoria, drawn by peerless 
 white stallions. He is dressed in dark frock 
 coat and wears no ornaments. He sits very 
 erect in the center. He is followed by sev- 
 eral soldiers or officers on horseback. They 
 dismount and join the others. Their horses 
 are led off the stage by orderlies.) 
 
 Soldiers and Populace — "Padishahlm 
 Chok Gasha. Padlshahim Chok Gasha. 
 Padishahim Chok Gasha." ["Long live our 
 Sultan, the Conqueror."] 
 
 {As the Sultan passes he gives a glance at 
 the roof containing the ladies and gentlemen 
 from the embassies but does not speak. They 
 all bow deeply. The carriage is driven up to 
 the door of the mosque. All the officers and 
 dignitaries bow deeply and remain with heads 
 down as he dismounts and walks up the black 
 carpeted steps into the mosque. A buzzing 
 of conversation is heard. His carriage is 
 driven away off stage exit RjE. All the 
 
96 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 horses make exit this way, the crowd open- 
 ing for them. Helaine raises the blind of her 
 coupe. The eunuch in meantime has stepped 
 back into the crowd, and is talking with some 
 of his admirers among the natives. These 
 show great curiosity in him, feeling the cloth 
 of his coat, examining his silk hose, etc. He 
 is enjoying the admiration very iniich, and 
 grins continually . Helaine puts her head 
 out of the window and catches Raymond' s 
 eye. The eunuch also sees her and rushes 
 up and slams down the blind. She quickly 
 raises it and gives him her gold watch and 
 fob. His face breaks into grins. He takes 
 it and starts to walk back to his admirers, 
 but turns back and again closes down the 
 blind. He then returns to the crowd and 
 shows them his watch. He listens to it tick, 
 and finally licks the gold, grins, and shows 
 it to the crowd; some examine it, then by the 
 fob he starts swinging it nonchalantly around 
 in a circle. In the meantime a white glove 
 is seen to fall from the coupe. Raymond 
 walks forward quickly, drops his handker- 
 chief over the glove, picks them both up, 
 and puts them in his pocket, and walks across 
 the stage to R. 
 
 Commotion around the doorway indicates 
 the Sultan is about to come out of the 
 mosque. Soldiers, Pashas and officers all 
 
Act III 97 
 
 straighten up. A phaeton drives up from 
 R3E, and stops before the mosque. Two 
 horses, tandem fashion, are hitched to it. 
 Looking neither to the right nor left, the 
 Sultan comes out of the mosque and gets 
 in the rig, and takes the lines to drive. An 
 old man, an astrologer, rushes out of the 
 crowd from RLE and hands him a rolled 
 document made of parchment or cloth. He 
 takes it and puts it down beside him in the 
 rig. The old man kneels and raises his hands 
 to the sky and calls out: "Villahi ! Billahi! 
 Villahi! Billahi!" [Meaning — ''By the aid 
 of Allah, in the name of God.^^] He then 
 goes back into the crowd. As the Sultan 
 drives off a number of persons, including 
 some of the Pashas and court hangers-on, 
 trot at the rear wheels of the rig, all calling 
 to the Sultan, who heeds them not. He is 
 immediately followed by two soldiers on 
 horseback with carbines. The crowd mingles 
 as the soldiers form^ lines to withdraw. The 
 Sultan makes exit through RjE, followed 
 by mixed crowds trotting beside and behind 
 the vehicle. Some have their hands on it 
 as if to aid the horses pushing it. The sol- 
 diers, coupes and populace soon follow. 
 Raymond takes out the glove, removes the 
 note, walks fore stage, looks right and left 
 and reads.) 
 
98 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Raymond — {Reading note,) " 'Please, 
 at three this afternoon, be at the spot where 
 the south wall of the Dolma Bagtche meets 
 the Bosphorus near the big gate; watch the 
 water. Don't fail me !' This looks like an 
 adventure and with a wife of a Sultan. It 
 must be my figure." {He pulls down his 
 jacket tightly across his body.) "Will I be 
 there? Will I?" {Exit RiE.) 
 
 Curtain 
 
 Scene j — The Square Before the Galata 
 Bridge 
 
 Time — Shortly After Noon Friday 
 Exterior Scene 
 
 {Water front, Per a. One end of the 
 Galata Bridge is shown at L rear. Street 
 scene, stores, cafes, etc., shown at right 
 and left from front stage to rear. Back 
 drop shows the Bosphorus, Seraglio point, 
 Leander lighthouse, and the Asiatic shore 
 visible in distance. Vessels of steam and sail, 
 launches and caques, yachts and steamers are 
 seen in the water and moored to the bridge. 
 The street scene can be made a most interest- 
 ing one. Across this bridge there is a constant 
 ebb and flow of people in carriages, on 
 horseback, on camels, on donkeys, afoot. 
 
Act III 99 
 
 People from every clime and in every cos- 
 tume. Porters pass by indifferently, hearing 
 heavy loads, either piled on their backs or 
 in huge baskets hung on a long pole carried 
 between them. Little donkeys with stacks 
 of boxes piled several times their height go 
 nimbly and unconcerned. Sherbet sellers, 
 newsboys, bootblacks, nut sellers, with their 
 brass vessels, all mingle in the crowd crying 
 their wares. Ladies with their veils pulled 
 to their eyes walk by and ride by in car- 
 riages. The wofnen carry parasols. Men 
 in European dress, but with various kinds 
 of hat-gear, among which the fez is the most 
 prominent, mingle in the throng and sit at 
 tables on the sidewalks before the cafes, on 
 R and L. Soldiers and Pashas in heavy 
 gilded uniforms ride and walk. The Young 
 Turks^ heavy armored automobile passes by. 
 A band of pilgrims on the way to Mecca 
 stop a moment in the square C and give an 
 exhibition of gun juggling to the wild heat- 
 ing of kettle drums. An Arab Bedouin Sheik 
 comes across the stage dressed in long robe. 
 He rides a donkey. His beard is white and 
 long. He wears a green turban that shows 
 he has been to Mecca. He precedes a camel, 
 on which is a box-arranged saddle with four 
 posts forming a cupola, which is incased in 
 veils. The little posts have feathered tufts 
 
lOO Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 which sway as the camel walks. Through 
 the veils is seen a female form, the Sheik's 
 present to the Sultan. He is followed by 
 several donkeys bearing his equipment and 
 servants. 
 
 A bunch of Russian Cossacks followed by 
 a group of A 7n eric an sailors, led by a neat 
 ensign, pass by. Some stop to sit at the 
 tables to order drinks, others buy nuts and 
 tobacco. The whole scene is much animated. 
 The following are the cries in Turkish, 
 Greek and Armenian of the street venders, 
 etc. {phonetic spelling) : 
 
 Water Carriers {Armenian) — '^Varme 
 Su." 
 
 Porters {Kurds)— ''Sa Cun Ha.'' 
 Water Carriers {Greek) — '^Crio Nero." 
 Donkey Boys {Turkish) — ^'Barrak." 
 Coachmen { French ) — ^^ Gar da." 
 Newsboys {Greek) — '^Neologos." 
 References — On request. 
 Ticket booth and ticket takers are at R 
 and L of entrance to Bridge. Mizzet Pasha 
 comes across the bridge, walks to front stage 
 L, seats himself at small table in front of 
 the Cafe del Genio and orders coffee. He 
 looks at his watch. He then takes out and 
 fingers a chaplet of beads, ninety-nine on a 
 string, each thirty-three separated by a 
 marker. A few moments pass. Stage is 
 
Act III loi 
 
 cleared. He looks up and sees Mustafa 
 Sadi comiyig on stage from RiE towards 
 him. Others on stage have passed of through 
 various exits.) 
 
 MizZET — "Ah, I was getting nervous 
 over your tardiness." {Eunuch sits down.) 
 
 Eunuch — "There is so much In the air 
 these times one may as well forget his nerves. 
 How goes It?" 
 
 MizzET — "The stock campaign Is succeed- 
 ing far better than I had hoped. There ar- 
 rived to-day the first installment of gold on 
 our gains from the Paris Bourse." 
 
 {Enter Raymond from RiE, smoking a 
 cigarette, walks to a table on the sidewalk 
 before a cafe at R, seats himself, and a 
 waiter, a Frenchman, in attendance, comes 
 out of door to cafe to his side.) 
 
 Henri — {Waiter.) "Monsieur?" 
 
 Raymond — "Oh, er — er" — {Thinks a 
 moment) "just bring me a tonlque." 
 
 Henri — "Oui, Monsieur, certainement, 
 Monsieur, une tonlque tres vite." 
 
 {Exit waiter quickly into the cafe and re- 
 turns with glass of colorless fluid, which he 
 serves.) "Voila, Monsieur, Merci, Mon- 
 sieur." {He stands back against the wall 
 R. Raymond takes from his pocket He- 
 laine^s note and reads it carefully and places 
 it back into his pocket.) 
 
102 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 MusTAFi Sadi — 'Tes, but what about 
 this revolt that our spies are telling his 
 Majesty that has been started at Salonika? 
 His Majesty is worried over this and asks 
 you to endeavor to get the particulars. This 
 scroll was handed him to-day, just as he was 
 leaving the mosque, by an old astrologer." 
 {He takes the scroll from his pocket and 
 hands it to Mizzet.) 
 
 MizzET — {Taking the scroll, unrolling it 
 and reading.) "Oh, great Calif of All 
 Califs. Your throne is in grave danger. 
 One Javid Bey, together with one Kevshet 
 Pasha, have organized a revolt at Salonika. 
 They have forced the regular troops who 
 wanted to remain loyal to you to join them, 
 and these, with many thousand volunteers, 
 are now en route to the city to dethrone 
 you. May Allah give you the strength to 
 smite your enemies." 
 
 Mizzet — "I have suspected all along that 
 these men were members of the committee 
 of five who direct the operation of the Young 
 Turks, and now I am convinced." {Clenches 
 and unclenches his hand.) "Every spy we 
 sent to assassinate them has been, in turn, 
 assassinated. I'll give them credit for out- 
 spying us, but something has got to be done 
 to intimidate them." 
 
 Mustafa Sadi — "Get a list of the officers 
 
Act III 103 
 
 of the three barracks in the city. Indicate 
 those that can and those that cannot be de- 
 pended upon. The soldiers are loyal, but 
 most of the officers belong to the Committee 
 of Union and Progress, and must be sacri- 
 ficed." 
 
 MizzET — "With the gold we have we can 
 pay up the back pay of the soldiers and 
 can control them. The list will be ready this 
 afternoon, and by that time the gold will be 
 at the barracks in readiness. I am convinced 
 the trained local troops will easily sweep up 
 the rabble from Salonika should they dare 
 attempt to take the city." 
 
 Mustafa Sadi — "When all is in readi- 
 ness, the signal will be given. You will come 
 to Yildiz to-night?" (He stands up.) 
 
 Ambassador Fleishman — {Coming in 
 from RjE and walking up behind Ray- 
 mond. Jovially.) "Cheer up, Percival, 
 you'll soon be dead." 
 
 Raymond — {Jumping up.) "Hello, glad 
 to see you, sir." {Calls to waiter, who 
 comes to table.) "Hey — Garcon!" {Both 
 sit down. Waiter comes quickly forward.) 
 
 Ambassador — "You look as if you had 
 the world on your shoulder. What's the 
 matter?" 
 
 Raymond — "What will you have, sir?" 
 
 Ambassador — {Seriously to waiter.) 
 
104 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 "Say, Cuthbert, bring me a cup of cup cus- 
 tard." 
 
 Waiter — {Bowing, and seriously.) 
 "Monsieur? Cup of cuth cuth^^r^. What 
 ees eet?" 
 
 Raymond — {Laughing.) "Cuth of cuth 
 cuthpard. Oh!" {Holds hand to cheek.) 
 "I got a mouthful." 
 
 Ambassador — (Seriously.) "No, Cuth- 
 bert, a cup of cuth — cuth " {Laughing.) 
 
 "He's got me saying it now." {Raymond 
 and Ambassador laugh. Waiter looks solemn 
 and perplexed.) 
 
 Waiter — {Excitedly.) "Mon Dieu — 
 who is thees cuth of cuptard cusses?" {Ges- 
 ticulates wildly.) "Sacre Bleu, I know heem 
 not!" {Ambassador and Raymond explode 
 with laughter.) 
 
 Raymond — "Have a heart, your Excel- 
 lency. He can't prove he is sober. He is 
 getting worse. Tell him w^hat you want!" 
 
 Ambassador — {Wiping his eyes with his 
 handkerchief, and to waiter). "If you 
 haven't got what I said — I can't say it 
 again — I don't want anything. It is too 
 early for liquor and too late for coffee. I 
 can't drink these messy drinks." {He taps 
 glass before Raymond. Waiter shrugs 
 shoulders and makes exit into cafe, mutter- 
 
Act III 105 
 
 ing.) "But come, Raymond, what's all the 
 worry about?" 
 
 Raymond — "You remember that Kurd 
 that we pulled out of the Bosphorus that 
 Sunday?" 
 
 Ambassador — "Yes. He seemed very 
 grateful, and swore by the beard of the 
 prophet that some day he would do you a 
 favor." 
 
 Raymond — "Well, he works In the gar- 
 den at Yildiz. I happened to be mistaken 
 for a courier one time when I was at the 
 depot by a couple of Frenchmen with a 
 charming young girl. Gad, she was pretty. 
 I can't get her off my mind." (Looks ab- 
 stracted.) 
 
 Ambassador — "Love at first sight, eh — 
 go on." 
 
 Raymond — "Well, the upshot was that 
 I consented to show them the way to Yildiz. 
 They had an appointment with the Sultan. 
 As I was leaving the grounds this Kurd came 
 up to me with a flower, and as he gave it 
 to me said that If the young lady was a 
 friend of mine to look after her, as, while 
 working in a flower bed under the window, 
 he overheard the two Frenchmen talking, 
 and from what he gathered he believed they 
 had lured the young girl there to sell her 
 to the Sultan." 
 
io6 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Ambassador — "That's not so very un- 
 common, but I fancy she was wlUing, all 
 right." 
 
 Raymond — "Had you seen the girl you 
 wouldn't think so. She was a dream." 
 
 Ambassador — "Perhaps so." (Laughs.) 
 "What did you do next?" 
 
 Raymond — "I went back to the palace 
 and warned them, but they held a bold front 
 and would admit nothing. I had their 
 movements watched, but was informed that 
 they left with the young girl and caught a 
 train that night for Paris." 
 
 Ambassador — "Well, what are you wor- 
 rying about now? You were not smitten, 
 were you?" (Laughs.) "You young bucks 
 certainly fall easily before a pretty face. Fll 
 wager she has never given you another 
 thought." (Leans over, and seriously.) 
 "Did she drop you a love letter and forget 
 to enclose her address?" [Laughs.) 
 
 Raymond — {Earnestly.) "All joking 
 aside. Something happened to-day that has 
 given me an idea that after all she may be 
 in that old devil's harem. I can't make it 
 out, but I will tell you more about it later." 
 {He looks at his watch.) "I have an en- 
 gagement at three, and it is about time for 
 me to be off." 
 
 Ambassador — {Nodding across the street 
 
Act III 107 
 
 to the eunuch,) ''Say, I believe there is the 
 chief eunuch." {In mock seriousness, lean- 
 ing across the table and placing his hand on 
 Raymond's arm.) "Why not ask the good 
 fellow If she Is among the fortunate ones?" 
 {Laughs.) 
 
 Raymond — "I believe I will. He will 
 He to me, but he may drop a hint or look 
 that may give me an Inkling." 
 
 MizzET — ^"Fll be there about eight 
 o'clock; In meantime, adieu." 
 
 Mustafa Sadi — {Waves hand.) 
 "Adieu." {Walks toward RiE and passes 
 cafe before which Raymond is sitting. Ray- 
 mond gets up and calls to him.) 
 
 Raymond — "Hey! may I have a word 
 with you?" {The eunuch stops.) "You 
 are Mustafa SadI, the Celebrated, are you 
 not?" {He takes a cigar from his outside 
 coat pocket.) 
 
 Mustafa Sadi — "They call me by that 
 name." 
 
 Raymond — {Places the cigar in Mus- 
 tafa's hand.) "Smoke that when you have 
 time and you will forget your troubles." 
 {The black looks at the cigar, being\ at- 
 tracted by its bright red wrapper, which he 
 examines.) "By the way, Is there In the 
 royal harem a pretty red-headed French — " 
 
 Mustafa — "To be seen talking to you 
 
io8 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 in this manner may cost me my head" {He 
 takes the cigar and shoves it into Raymond^ s 
 outside bi'east pocket of his coat.) "and" 
 {Pause.) "yours. Adieu, effendi." {He 
 smiles, showing his teeth and walks of, exit 
 RiE.) 
 
 Raymond — {Looking after him.) 
 "Damn!" {He looks again at his watch.) 
 "It is time for me to keep that rendezvous." 
 {As he moves of, to Ambassador.) "If 
 I don't come back, the dog is yours." {Exit 
 R3E. The Ambassador waves to him. Miz- 
 zet Pasha gets up and comes across the stage 
 to the Ambassador's table.) 
 
 MizzET — "Good day, your Excellency." 
 {The Ambassador stands up and shakes 
 hands with him.) 
 
 Ambassador — "How are you, Mizzet 
 Pasha ; are things going to suit you, now you 
 and your friends are back in your power?" 
 
 Mizzet — "Things never go so well that 
 they couldn't go better; and with you?" 
 
 Ambassador — "Splendid. I have a des- 
 patch that my wife and children are in Buda- 
 pest and will leave soon for Constantinople. 
 They may be here to-morrow or Sunday." 
 
 Mizzet — "You have been my friend." 
 {Slowly.) "Budapest is a most interesting 
 city; telegraph them to remain there a week 
 and see the city." {He blows out a puff of 
 
Act III 109 
 
 smoke and walks slowly of the stage. The 
 Ambassador is in a brown study. After a 
 few moments, hurriedly, from across bridge 
 L rear comes the American Consul General. 
 He sees the Ambassador and comes quickly 
 up to him. He has a despatch in his hand.) 
 
 Consul General Ozmund — {Giving the 
 despatch to the Ambassador.) "I was just 
 on my way to the Embassy. This is from 
 my consular agent at Salonika, He says 
 that the troops are on the way to take Con- 
 stantinople, and will make the attempt early 
 next week. I also hear that when this news 
 is known here there will be rioting and mas- 
 sacring. A plot is now being hatched among 
 the Kurds to massacre the Armenians and 
 Christians in the city, and I fear it may 
 come about to-morrow, as that is the date 
 set for it." 
 
 Ambassador — "Something is in the wind. 
 I know from what Mizzet Pasha just let 
 slip. From whom did you get the informa- 
 tion about the plot?" 
 
 Consul General — "To-day, from one 
 of my servants, who is seemingly in the plot. 
 We must endeavor to get the Young Turks 
 to try to take the city in the morning." 
 
 Ambassador — "This is indeed serious. 
 What do you suggest?" 
 
 Consul General — "A message must be 
 
no Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 gotten to Kevshet Pasha, the generalissimo 
 of the advancing army, explaining the situa- 
 tion and urging that they get here by to- 
 morrow morning. They will have better 
 chances of success, anyway, if the surprise 
 can be carried out." 
 
 Ambassador — "Let us lose no time in 
 this." {Exeunt LiE.) 
 
 Curtain 
 
ACT IV 
 
 Scene i — The Big Gate, Dolma Bagtche 
 Palace 
 
 Time — Three O'clock Friday Afternoon 
 Exterior Scene 
 
 {From extreme R front to RC rear 
 is shown the big gate of Dolma Bagtche. 
 Two sentinels pace up and down before the 
 gate. A few 7nomenis after curtain rises, 
 Raymond McKensie appears from LiE, 
 walks to C fore stage and looks at his watch. 
 He is dressed in a light suit and carries a 
 cane with crook in handle. He walks to C 
 rear, looks at the water.) 
 
 Raymond — "Gee — but that current is 
 swift. The Black Sea ought to go dry at 
 this rate." {Pause. He looks up and down 
 the Bosphorus.) "I wonder if she expects 
 to come out of the water. She must be a 
 mermaid!" {He walks up and down before 
 the gate C front to C rear and back again 
 to extreme L front.) "Watch the water! 
 Bah!" {Looks toward palace.) "I sup- 
 in 
 
112 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 pose she and the rest of the haremltes are 
 splitting their sides with laughter behind 
 those shades." {Looks at audience.) "I 
 feel like a fool. How could any one hold 
 a tryst in an open place like this? The 
 old geezer could see us a mile off." {He 
 walks to the rear and hack again. Looks at 
 his watch) "It is three now." {Looks up 
 suddenly.) "Did she mean Turkish time or 
 European time? Curses on a nation that 
 tolerates two times! A man has to carry 
 two watches here to be on the job." {He 
 walks to the water. A distant cry is heard. 
 Muezzin calling to prayer.) 
 
 Muezzin's Voice — "Allah Akber — Al- 
 lah Akber — Allah Akber — Allah Akber. 
 Allah— II— Lah— II Allah— Allah Akber 
 —La II Lah II Allah." 
 
 Guards— {Together.) "Prayer!" {They 
 perform the prayer ceremony on the stage 
 by kneeling, LiE facing Mecca {East, or up 
 stage) and bowing their heads to the floor 
 a number of times.) 
 
 Raymond — {Putting his cane into the 
 water and pulling up a line with a cork on 
 it.) "Hello, what's this? Some one lost a 
 fishing line." {He gives it a tug, and then 
 looks upstream R.) "Ah, ha!" {Looks 
 around stealthily, and then takes a note out 
 from a hole in the cork. The cork falls to 
 
Act IV 113 
 
 the floor.) "This looks more like business." 
 {He walks forestage and reads note.) "I 
 hope you haven't forgotten me. I have been 
 a captive here two months. I nearly died of 
 gladness when I saw you yesterday. Don't 
 reveal the knowledge that you know I am 
 here or I shall perish. So far I am all right. 
 I have a rope of horse hair, and if you will 
 meet me at midnight by the little gate in 
 the west wall I shall try to escape. I dread 
 every new night in this place, so if you can, 
 won't you meet me to-night? I am placing 
 you in grave danger, but I believe you are 
 brave and will help me. Helaine Periot." 
 
 Raymond — {In sheer astonishment leans 
 against the stone base on the fence.) "Is it 
 possible? My God, is it possible?" {Walks 
 up and down.) "How could it have hap- 
 pened? This is awful." {Takes note from 
 his pocket and zvrites hurriedly.) "Dear 
 Miss Helaine, I am consumed with anger 
 over this atrocity. I shall be there at mid- 
 night. I will make known my presence by 
 a quail whistle. Answer the same way. Be 
 courageous and do not falter." {He makes 
 a fine roll of the note, walks rear stage, picks 
 up the cork, places the note in it, and throws 
 it hack into the water, just as two soldiers 
 arise from prayer on stage. Raymond 
 pauses at C to light a cigarette, blows out a 
 
114 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 puff of smoke, throws away the match, and, 
 with a disdainful laugh at the guards who 
 are watching him suspiciously, he makes exit 
 LiE.) 
 
 Curtain 
 
 Scene 2 — Sultan's Den in the Yildiz Kiosh 
 
 Time — Friday night. 
 
 Interior Scene 
 
 (Interior one-story circular room that ad- 
 joins Yildiz palace. The low windows in 
 C rear adjoin each other, through which 
 can be seen the city in the distance. Foun- 
 tain at RC. This is a low basin with a 
 small crystal rail around it, through which 
 can be seen the water in the basin. A small 
 stream plays up from the center of the foun- 
 tain. Doors at L2E and R2E. Rug on 
 floor at LC. Painted panels in Turkish de- 
 signs on walls. {Nothing living is painted 
 or portrayed in Turkey.) A low seat is 
 before the windows. Rest of room bare of 
 furniture. Time — Friday night after the 
 Selainlik. At rise of curtain the Sultan comes 
 in dressed in his brown robe and walks hur- 
 riedly to the window and looks out intently. 
 Scattered firing is heard, and here and there 
 a glow is seen against the sky. Now and 
 
Act IV 115 
 
 then distant shouting is heard. Sultan says 
 nothing. After a few moments' pause, Miz- 
 zet Pasha enters from door at R2E.) 
 
 MizzET — {Going to window and looking 
 out.) "Looks like we have played hell, does 
 It not, your Majesty?" 
 
 Sultan — (Turning around.) "Ah I It 
 Is you. I was just thinking of Rome burn- 
 ing and how Nero must have felt as he 
 looked out upon it." 
 
 MizZET — ^"With all that racket going on 
 it does look like the burning of Rome. I 
 guess we might as well tune up the old fiddle, 
 eh?" 
 
 Sultan — "Joking aside, what's going 
 on?" (Both seat themselves on the divan. 
 Mizzet lights a cigarette.) 
 
 MizzET — ^"The soldiers got the gold, all 
 right. Murdered all their officers, all right, 
 and are now painting the town. I guess they 
 will continue on the rampage until the money 
 is all spent or they all get drunk." 
 
 Sultan — "We should have made some 
 provisions against this. It will hurt us with 
 the old Turks." 
 
 MizzET — "I figured that the officers who 
 were not listed and who escaped could con- 
 trol them, but it looks as if any escaped, 
 they have vanished." 
 
 {Sultan pulls cord by the window, and or- 
 
ii6 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 derly comes in through door at R2E and 
 salaams.) 
 
 Sultan — {Rising. ) "Bring Emvers Bey, 
 the Minister of War, here at once." {Order- 
 ly starts of.) "Hold; bring also Ismed Pa- 
 sha, the Minister of Finance. He is a sly 
 dog and may suggest something. Eh, Miz- 
 zet?" {Orderly salaams, exit R2E.) "Sev^- 
 eral heads are better than one. I know that 
 old Ismed is more with us than against us, 
 and will go down if we fall." 
 
 MizzET — "Don't consider that a possi- 
 bility, as the regulars will soon rout that 
 army of stragglers and volunteers from Sa- 
 lonika." 
 
 Sultan — "Anything is possible. Any- 
 way, I have been thinking a good deal what 
 Javid Bey said. I am no more than a 
 prisoner here and my life is at best short. 
 If it comes to worst I will resign and enjoy 
 the rest of my life as it suits my pleasure, 
 and not be restricted by the onerous duties 
 of the throne." 
 
 MizzET — "Your Majesty, you shock me. 
 You were born to rule this Empire and are 
 the hereditary head of Moslem. It is not 
 yours to give and take. You must be Sultan 
 till death." 
 
 Sultan — "What if this motley crowd 
 gets hold of me? How long will my heredi- 
 
Act IV 117 
 
 tary right sustain me? Evil has been per- 
 haps my rule; nevertheless, as long as I am 
 here there will be peace with Europe; but 
 mark me, Mizzet, when I am gone, all agree- 
 ments will be at an end, and you shall wit- 
 ness chaos, bloodshed and great loss in Turk- 
 ish possessions. Mark me on this." 
 
 Mizzet — "I have always given you full 
 credit for your diplomatic astuteness, dear 
 Sultan, but why discuss your leaving? You 
 will be here for a long time yet." 
 
 Sultan — {Points to the door at L2E.) 
 "Do you see that door? It is at the end of 
 a passageway that leads from the garden. 
 The passageway is so narrow that only one 
 man at a time can enter." (He points to 
 panel at L of window.) "By touching a 
 spring in that panel a rapid fire gun will 
 roll into place and command the passage- 
 way. It is fired by electricity and will shoot 
 for thirty minutes. The windows are pro- 
 tected by" {Walks to fountain.) "heavy steel 
 curtains. This fountain is not so artless as 
 it seems." {He lifts up panel at base of 
 rim to the fountain, turns a knob, replaces 
 the panel. The fountain stops playing. The 
 water in the basin is seen to run out, the 
 fountain lifts up automatically, revealing an 
 opening to an underground passage. After 
 a moment the fountain settles down, closing 
 
ii8 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 up the gap, the water begins to play, and 
 soon it was as before.) 
 
 MizzET — "Marvelous !" 
 
 Sultan — "That passageway leads to a 
 spot opposite my yacht. In eleven minutes 
 from here I can be on board." 
 
 MizzET — "Truly, that is a remarkable 
 arrangement, but I hope you will never be 
 forced to use it." 
 
 Sultan — "It is not unlikely that I shall 
 use it shortly. If you hear of the attacking 
 forces being successful, go at once on board 
 my yacht and await me. This ring will gain 
 you admission." {Takes of ring and gives 
 it to him.) "But take with you as much as 
 possible of your worldly wealth, for I fear 
 what you leave will be confiscated, as you 
 are not well loved, my dear Mizzet, by either 
 old or young Turks." 
 
 MizzET — ^" 'Tis, alas, true; but what of 
 your wealth?" 
 
 Sultan — "I have enough gold on deposit 
 in various European banks to take care of 
 me for a long time, and behind those panels" 
 {Nods at the wall R of windows.) "are 
 several million pounds in securities and bank 
 notes. There is no danger of my dying a 
 pauper. There are a few good kicks still 
 left in this old carcass, and if we are forced 
 
Act IV 119 
 
 to go to Europe we will have them, eh, 
 Mizzet?" 
 
 Master of Ceremony — {Appearing on 
 threshold.) 'Tour Majesty, Emvers Bey, 
 the Minister of War, is here." 
 
 Sultan — "Admit him." 
 
 {Enter Door R Minister of War.) 
 
 Minister of War Emvers Bey — {Sa- 
 lutes.) "Your Majesty, you sent for me?" 
 
 Sultan — "The soldiers of the city bar- 
 racks fearing they would be forced by their 
 officers to side with the young Turks, as 
 they were made to do at Salonika, in spirit 
 of patriotism, mutinied this evening and slew 
 their officers. They are now running amuck. 
 I am afraid some damage is being done,^ and 
 more will be done unless they are restrained. 
 A consultation is in order. Can you sug- 
 gest some officers who escaped who could 
 take them in charge?" 
 
 Emvers Bey — "Some gallant and faithful 
 men were ruthlessly butchered, and those 
 that escaped now fear for their lives. I 
 have nothing to suggest." 
 
 Sultan — {To Master of Ceremony.) 
 "Escort the effendi to one of the little cells 
 below the water line, and perhaps later on 
 he can think up a few suggestions." 
 
 Emvers Bey — "Your Majesty, I feel 
 deeply the loss of these men, but I can- 
 
120 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 not " {Sultan makes a motion with his 
 
 hand. The Minister of War bows and 
 makes exit with Master of Ceremony 
 through DR2E.) 
 
 Sultan — {Calling after hifn.) "You 
 need meditation." {Enter orderly from door 
 R2E.) 
 
 Master of Ceremony — "Your Majesty, 
 his excellency the Minister of Finance, Ismed 
 Pasha." 
 
 Sultan — "Present him." {Exit orderly 
 DR2E and returns quickly with the Min- 
 ister of Finance, who bows low in giving the 
 salute, but says nothing.) 
 
 Sultan — "Ah. Ismed, we are in a dilem- 
 ma. As you may know, the soldiers are 
 amuck. You who are trained to solve such 
 intricate problems as financing this govern- 
 ment can surely make a suggestion that would 
 be apropos." 
 
 Ismed Pasha — "The problem is ?" 
 
 Sultan — {Impatiently.) "To pacify 
 the soldiers and get them back to the bar- 
 racks as quickly as possible." 
 
 Ismed Pasha — {Astutely.) "Why not 
 get them back in the same manner in which 
 they were induced to leave?" 
 
 Sultan — "How was that?" 
 
 {The Minister of Finance looks at Miz- 
 
Act IV 121 
 
 zet and then at the Sultan and simply shrugs 
 his shoulders.) 
 
 Sultan — "Speak, man, and without 
 fear." 
 
 Ism ED Pasha — "By gold, or" {Signifi- 
 cantly.) "by promises of gold." 
 
 MizzET— "Great!" 
 
 IsMED Pasha — (Dryly.) "Pass the word 
 that more gold will be forthcoming to those 
 soldiers who have so faithfully performed 
 their orders, provided they are back in the 
 barracks by daybreak." 
 
 MizzET — (Excitedly and standing up.) 
 "We can say that the money will be paid out 
 only as long as it lasts and first come first 
 served, and that we will start paying early." 
 
 Sultan — "Very good, Mizzet, pass the 
 word at once." (Mizzet hows and makes 
 exit through DR2E.) 
 
 IsMED Pasha — "May I go?" 
 
 Sultan — "I prefer you spend the night 
 at the palace to-night. A little knowledge is 
 a dangerous thing, and I would like to know 
 how much more you know of this gold 
 story." (Presses push-button on end of hell 
 cord by window, and attendant appears door 
 R2E.) "Show the Effendi the guest cham- 
 ber." (Minister bows and withdraws 
 through DR2E with attendant.) 
 
 Sultan — (Lighting a cigarette, and look- 
 
122 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 ing out of the window. Everything is now 
 quiet outside.) "This is a beautiful night 
 for a romance. I guess I shall pay that long 
 deferred visit to my little kitten in Dolma 
 Bagtche. It is now or never, for no telling 
 what to-morrow will bring forth." 
 
 Curtain 
 
ACT V 
 
 Scene i — Dolma Bagtche Palace 
 
 Time — About Midnight, Friday 
 
 Exterior Scene, Full Stage 
 
 {A portion of Dolma Bagtche Palace ex- 
 tends from R to C. A wall runs from RiE 
 to about two-thirds of the way to C and then 
 obliquely to the palace at C. Here it joins 
 a small one-story annex {Practical) to the 
 palace. The top of the wall {Practical) is 
 on a line with the roof of the annex. A 
 gate is in the wall fore stage. Adjoining the 
 annex C is a part of the palace proper. The 
 main building is two stories high. Colon- 
 nades face the front of the main wing of 
 the building. This wing has a flat roof 
 {Practical). A balustrade extends around 
 the roof. The wing has no upper windows. 
 An iron fence, not so high as the wall, ex- 
 tends obliquely from wall {at the point where 
 the wall makes the turn towards palace) to 
 L2E. The fence is mounted on a stone base. 
 123 
 
124 Within the Gates of Yildtz 
 
 On a drop in the background is seen the 
 Bosphorus. A crescent moon is shown over 
 it. Stars are seen in the sky. The Sul- 
 tan's yacht is shown in the distance fully 
 illuminated. Lights from other vessels are 
 seen. Lights twinkle from Asiatic side. A 
 eunuch sits on the steps in front of palace. 
 Guards stand at R and L of stage. Sultan 
 enters in palace ground soon after curtain 
 rises from L^E. He is smoking a cigarette 
 and wears frock coat and black silk tie and 
 red fez. He walks toward the water and 
 looks at the stars. One is shining especially 
 bright over the palace.) 
 
 Sultan — "Oh, Venus, give me charm 
 and eloquence of youth this evening, I pray 
 thee, for I need them both." {Looks at 
 yacht.) "If I could but win this Httle beauty 
 the rest can hang. Willing or not I shall 
 win her, and shall see that this night she is 
 placed on board my yacht." {Looks again 
 
 at Venus.) "Oh, Venus, fail me not " 
 
 {Just at that moment he sees the head of a 
 woman appearing over the top of the roof 
 to the palace.) "Bismillah, what is that? 
 
 How! What the It is she!" {To 
 
 the eunuch.) '"Mustafa, quick!" {The 
 eunuch runs to his master^ s side.) "Look!" 
 {Points to Helaine, who has not seen the 
 
I 
 
Act V 125 
 
 Sultan. She raises up and gives the hob 
 white quail whistle.) 
 
 Sultan — "Watch her and if she de- 
 scends, catch her." {He rushes into the 
 house. Helaine ivears a long cloak. She 
 lowers a rope and begins to descend to the 
 roof of the small annex. The eunuch begins 
 to climb up the trellis work to meet her. A 
 quail whistle is heard in the distance.) 
 
 Voice from within Palace — {Low 
 wail.) "Oh, spare me, my master, spare 
 
 me. I couldn't " {Voice is suddenly 
 
 smothered. Sultan's head appears on roof 
 just about time Helaine reaches the little 
 roof. The eunuch reaches the roof of the 
 wing about the same time and rushes to He- 
 laine and attempts to seize her. She cries 
 out and, swiftly taking a long pair of scis- 
 sors from her belt, stabs the eunuch through 
 the heart. He falls to the roof and rolls of 
 of it to the ground behind the wall. She 
 looks at the weapon, then throws it from her 
 in dismay.) 
 
 Helaine — {Shuddering.) "God! what 
 have I done?" 
 
 Sultan — "Guards, stop her! shoot her!" 
 ( The guards are within the palace gr ounds . 
 Helaine, after stabbing the eunuch, runs 
 quickly along the wall that leads from the 
 
126 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 roof to the wall that is front stage. The 
 soldiers fire at her just as she jumps. As 
 she jumps Raymond rushes out from LiE 
 and catches her, but both fall to the ground. 
 The Sultan's head has disappeared. The 
 guards exeunt L2E running. Raymond and 
 Helaine both get up but Helaine sinks down 
 again.) 
 
 Helaine — "My ankles. Mon Dieu — 
 Mon Dieu." {Buries face in hands.) 
 
 Raymond — {Rushes to wings R and re- 
 turns quickly.) "Crawl up this hill and you 
 will find yourself at the French Embassy." 
 {He takes her in his arms and rushes out 
 RiE and comes back quickly alone. The 
 cloak is left behind.) "They will catch her 
 sure." {He looks around and perceives the 
 cloak. This he throws about his shoulders 
 and head and sinks down beside the wall, 
 well covered up, just as the two guards run 
 on the stage from LiE. They run up to the 
 hidden form. The Sultan bursts out of gate 
 in wall fore stage.) 
 
 Sultan — "You fools, you have killed her ! 
 Why didn't you aim high?" 
 
 Soldiers — "We aimed at the sky, your 
 Majesty." 
 
 Sultan — "Quick, the palace doctor." 
 {Both guards exeunt through gate in the 
 wall. ) 
 
Act V 127 
 
 ''This Is terrible!" {Clenches hands to- 
 gether a moment.) "Poor little dear." 
 {Touches form on the shoulder. Softly.) 
 "Helaine? Helalne?" 
 
 {Draws back the cloak. Raymond springs 
 up. The Sultan falls back in amazement.) 
 
 Raymond — "I am the Charge d'Affaires 
 of the American Embassy- The girl who 
 just escaped is a friend of mine. You shall 
 pay dearly for this, Habdul Amid." 
 
 {Sultan springs at him in a rage.) 
 
 Sultan — "You whelp of a mangy cur! 
 I shall choke out your insolent tongue with 
 these bare hands, if I lose my soul! Damn 
 you!" {He has Rayjuond by the throat and 
 pushes him back against the wall. Raymond 
 struggles. The sudden onslaught took him 
 by surprise. By a sudden upward swing of 
 his arms he breaks the hold of the Sultan, and 
 after a short struggle he has the Sultan by 
 the throat and is choking him backward 
 across his knee. The Sultan has one knee 
 on the ground and has both hands on Ray- 
 mond's wrist trying to break his hold.) 
 
 Raymond — {Hisses.) "You old devil, 
 you have uttered your last blaspheme!" 
 {Just then the guards return with the doctor, 
 through the gate. They seize Raymond and 
 soon overpower him. As soon as the Sultan 
 gets up he rubs his neck. He leans on the 
 
128 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 doctor. The soldiers hold Raymond by each 
 arm.) 
 
 Sultan — "Take him to Yildiz. To-mor- 
 row at sunrise I shall see him die if I have 
 to kill him myself." (Exit soldiers LiE, 
 with Raymond between them.) 
 
 Sultan — "Doctor, quick ! It may be time 
 yet to catch the little mink. Let's get the 
 dogs." 
 
 (Exeunt hurriedly through gate in the 
 wall. ) 
 
 Curtain 
 
 Scene 2 — In the Garden of Yildiz 
 
 Time — Saturday morning 
 
 Exterior Scene 
 
 (At R is seen outside of the circular room, 
 Sultan's den, the interior of which was shown 
 in Act IV, Scene 2. The house extends from 
 wings on right nearly to C. From C rear to 
 L rear extends a brick wall about seven feet 
 high. Shrubbery along L side from front to 
 rear. Small set tree, 'practical, at point about 
 ten feet from rear L corner. Walk extends 
 from RiE to C, thence to C rear and exit 
 around rear house R. There is small pro- 
 jection from the right face of the building at 
 the end of which is a door. The projection 
 
Act V 129 
 
 makes very narrow the passage into the 
 building. The building is one story, and 
 the part seen from the audience is circular 
 in outline. It is attached to the main pal- 
 ace, but only a slight projection of the pal- 
 ace is shown at R zving. The house has 
 two small, narrow zvindows in it, facing stage 
 front. It is guarded with heavy blinds from 
 inside. These are closed. Time, at rise, just 
 before dawn. Stage is first dark. Sentinel 
 zualks to and fro across stage. Light is grad- 
 ually made brighter. Birds begin to sing. 
 Clouds get reddish, then golden. Distant fir- 
 ing is heard; then, bugle calls; artillery firing; 
 more firing. The sentry stops as if listening. 
 Sound of galloping horse is heard. It gets 
 nearer and then stops. In rushes Mizzet 
 from RiE. He is dressed in trousers, boots 
 and spurs, but wears a pajama jacket instead 
 of a shirt. He has a bandage tied around 
 his head. The sentry stops him.) 
 
 Sentry— ''Halt!" 
 
 Mizzet — {At C.) "This is no time for 
 ceremony. Get his Majesty here at once." 
 {Firing is growing louder. Yells are heard.) 
 "Hurry." 
 
 ( The sentry rushes into building through 
 small door at C. Mizzet stamps around, 
 whipping his boots with his crop, showing 
 impatience. Out rush the Sultan and sen- 
 
130 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 try from same door. The Sultan is dressed 
 in dark trousers, brown lounging robe, shirt 
 without collar. He wears slippers and fez. 
 It is now about full light.) 
 
 Sultan — {Excitedly.) "What Is it, are 
 we attacked?" 
 
 MizzET — "Yes, and the Tash Kischla bar- 
 rack has fallen. From It they are directing 
 a murderous crossfire on the other two bar- 
 racks. They cannot hold out long, and this 
 place will be next." 
 
 {Shriek of a shell is heard.) 
 
 Sultan — {Pointing to Mizzet's head.) 
 "You are wounded." 
 
 MizZET — "I was struck by a stray bullet. 
 It is nothing." 
 
 Sultan — "It looks like the beginning of 
 the end. Get to the yacht as quickly as 
 possible. I shall join you shortly." {Sultan 
 starts to reenter the house.) "But wait. 
 There is one thing that I promised myself 
 that shall be carried out. That Is the shoot- 
 ing of that American, curse him." {He 
 clenches his fist. To the guard.) "Have the 
 prisoner that was taken last night at Dolma 
 Bagtche brought here at once by the death 
 squad. Make haste." {Guard makes exit 
 RiE. The Sultan climbs up on the wall at 
 L rear by means of some spikes driven in 
 the wall and looks over the wall.) 
 
Act V 131 
 
 Sultan — "Kishkisla seems to be still hold- 
 ing out, but I can see the shells striking the 
 building. That artillery fire must be directed 
 by German Ofiicers. It is too accurate to 
 be Turkish." {Excitedly.) "The barracks 
 have raised the white flag." 
 
 {Marching of soldiers is heard. Squad 
 of four men led by an officer come in from 
 RiE with prisoner between them. The Sul- 
 tan gets down and points to the little tree. 
 The corporal and soldiers salute. The offi- 
 cer gives some orders, and the prisoner is 
 blindfolded and hands tied behind him, and 
 then led up to the tree and fastened to it. 
 Shells can be heard shrieking more plainly. 
 Soldiers line up in firing order.) 
 
 MizzET — "Hurry, your Majesty. They 
 are firing on this place, and any moment it 
 may be too late." 
 
 {Sultan raises his hand to the officer, who 
 gives order to soldiers.) 
 
 Officer — "Attention. Load." {Soldiers 
 
 load.) 
 
 Officer — "Aim!" 
 
 {Just as they aim a shell is heard to loudly 
 shriek, followed by a crash and a loud ex- 
 plosion. A cloud of smoke, dust and parts 
 of shrubbery are thrown on the stage from 
 LiE. The force of explosion has thrown 
 
132 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 one soldier on his hack and staggered the 
 others.) 
 
 MizzET — "Run, they have our range!" 
 
 {The soldiers drop their guns and flee. 
 Exeunt RiE and LiE. Mizzet tries to push 
 the Sultan into the door C. The Sultan 
 pushes Imn away, reaches down, and picks 
 up the gun from the fallen soldier, who jumps 
 up and runs.) 
 
 Sultan — {Taking aim at the prisoner.) 
 "Damn him, he shall die!" 
 
 {A shell hits the wall and it collapses, 
 leaving a big gap. The Sultan and Mizzet 
 are both knocked down. A bugle call is 
 heard. Mizzet jumps up, fairly throws the 
 Sultan into the passageway C, and then runs 
 of stage RiE just as a squad of mounted 
 cavalrymen dash up to the opening. They 
 leave their horses outside the wall, and rush 
 inside, followed by numerous soldiers with 
 white caps on their heads. All shout.) 
 
 Soldiers — "Where is Bedros, Peter the 
 Armenian? Where is he, Habdul Amid?" 
 
 {An armored automobile drives before the 
 gap. It contains three officers and a girl. 
 Helaine rushes through the gap. On seeing 
 Raymond tied to the tree, she utters a cry, 
 and rushes to him and pulls the bandage from 
 his eyes.) 
 
 Helaine — "Oh — my brave boy, thank 
 
Act V 133 
 
 God we were in time." {She takes his face 
 in her hands and kisses it,) "Speak, dear, 
 are you hurt?" 
 
 Raymond — "I thought I was dead, but to 
 awake and find you is like heaven." 
 
 {She kisses him again. 
 
 Kevshet Pasha conies up.) 
 
 Kevshet Pasha — "Permit me to release 
 him so he can defend himself." 
 
 {All three laugh. Raymond is released, 
 and rubs his wrists and eyes.) 
 
 Raymond — "You had a decisive victory. 
 Let me congratulate and thank you, General. 
 You came none too quick for me." {He 
 shakes the general's hand.) 
 
 Kevshet — "It was a costly victory. When 
 we first attacked Tash Kischla, the inmates 
 raised a white flag, but when we sent a regi- 
 ment of men to take the surrender, the 
 treacherous dogs shot them and their ofiicers 
 down to a man. I then commanded that the 
 volunteers lead in taking the barracks, and 
 cautioned them to shoot down the regulars 
 among our own troops if they showed signs 
 of mutiny. I ordered them to bring no pris- 
 oners. We made a breach with the artil- 
 lery; the place was taken by storm, and the 
 fifteen hundred men inside were slain." 
 {Soldiers led by a captain and a lieutenant 
 rush back on the stage from RiE.) 
 
134 JVithin the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Soldiers — "Where Is Bedros? Let's 
 smoke him out." 
 
 Kevshet — "Stop!" {Men all stop.) 
 "Have a line thrown around the place." 
 {The officers salute.) 
 
 Captain Mohamid Ali Bey — "Fall in." 
 {Men fall in.) "Every ten paces one man 
 step out. Forward." {Led by the lieutenant, 
 they march out the breach in the ivall, leav- 
 ing a man at each ten paces.) 
 
 Helaine — "Oh ! I forgot. The Sultan 
 told me that he had a secret passageway from 
 that room" {Points to room) "to his yacht. 
 Quick — to the Bosphorus at the spot just off 
 of which is moored his yacht." {She runs 
 towards the auto — Raymond follows.) 
 
 Kevshet — ( To the captain. ) "When the 
 Kiosh is surrounded, search it. We go to 
 the harbor." {Kevshet rushes to the auto 
 after Helaine and Raymond. Car moves 
 from view. Soldiers appear on stage at 
 R. Lieutenant in charge salutes the captain, 
 who has remained on the stage.) 
 
 Lieutenant — "The Kiosh and garden of 
 Yildiz is surrounded!" 
 
 Captain Mohamid Ali Bey — {Pointing 
 to the door of the house.) "Search that 
 first." {An order is given by the lieutenant, 
 and four soldiers start for the door. At 
 this point the lights on the stage are dimmed 
 
Act V 135 
 
 and the interior of the house is illuminated 
 so that it can be seen from the audience. 
 The Sultan is seen inside moving about hur- 
 riedly, taking bags from niches in the wall, 
 and packing them into a large leather box he 
 has under his arm. The soldiers begin break- 
 ing down the door. The Sultan darts to the 
 wall at L rear of the room, pulls knob, and 
 the rapid-fire gun rolls into place and com- 
 mands the passageway. He reaches down and 
 pulls the knob at fountain base. As the sol- 
 diers batter in the door, the gun begins to 
 shoot rapidly ; the attacking men fall. More 
 rush up; they fall. Sufficient time has elapsed 
 during the attack to allow Kevshet and his 
 party to reach the mouth of the secret pas- 
 sageway on the BospUorus. The fountain 
 lifts. The Sultan takes the box under his 
 arm and prepares to escape, but pauses to 
 shake his fist in the direction of the attacking 
 party at the door. He turns and looks down 
 into the opening to find that he has pointing 
 at his breast a dozen bayonets. He falls 
 back against the wall in dismay. No action 
 and silence for a few moments.) 
 
 Sultan — "Kismet." 
 
 (Soldiers followed by Kevshet pour out 
 of the passage and seize the Sultan.) 
 
 Curtain 
 
136 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Scene J — Grand Salon. French Embassy 
 
 Time — Few days later 
 
 Interior Scene, Full Stage 
 
 ( Two Turkish Krevasses with knives and 
 pistols stuck in their belts stand at R and L 
 of rear entrance. Their uniforms contain 
 much gold braid. Butler in plain evening 
 dress suit stands at door C rear. At rise, 
 there is no one on the stage but the servants, 
 Krevasses, butlers and musicians. A moment 
 later the Ambassador enters from R2E. The 
 Ambassador is dressed in evening coat with 
 dark satin knee trousers, pumps. He has a 
 red satin ribbon across his chest with a dec- 
 oration on same. At the same time the Am- 
 bassadress makes entrance from L^E. Ser- 
 vants straighten up stiffly in their respective 
 places.) 
 
 Ambassador — "Ah, my dear, I am 
 pleased to see that you are strictly on time 
 this time. Here in the Levant, where social 
 functions of this character are so seldom 
 given, all formalities are closely observed." 
 
 Ambassadress — "That I appreciate, but 
 I must confess what makes me so early 
 this time is my interest in this affair, which 
 is far more than I have had in the others. 
 Besides, this is my party for Helaine." {She 
 
Act V 137 
 
 places her hand on his arm.) "I knew her 
 when she was a little girl. Her mother has 
 always been a dear friend of mine." 
 
 Ambassador — "She is a remarkable girl, 
 and has had a remarkable experience. I hear 
 that it was only her strength of character 
 that kept him from her so long. I^ suppose 
 now she will marry the young American who 
 aided her in her escape. I have investigated 
 his family, and he comes from good people, 
 well thought of in his country. However, he 
 has only his salary for support, and that is 
 hardly sufficient to decently support him." 
 
 Ambassadress — "That is too bad, for 
 she is crazy about him. While her family 
 own big estates, they are heavily incumbered, 
 and her mother has had her heart set on 
 Helaine's marrying a rich man. She is the 
 only child." 
 
 {Enter Helaine from LjE. She is dressed 
 in white, and has a large hunch of pink roses 
 in her arms. She zvears one in her hair.) 
 
 Helaine — "Oh, there you are, Tante. 
 I have been looking everywhere for you. 
 You certainly look beautiful; doesn't she, 
 your Excellency?" 
 
 Ambassador — "She always does." 
 
 Helaine — "And I ?" {She drops a cour- 
 tesy.) 
 
 Ambassador — {Laughing.) "If you 
 
138 JVithin the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 don't want my wife to be jealous of you, 
 don't ask." 
 
 Ambassadress — "Pay him no attention, 
 Helaine, he is an old tease and a flirt. You 
 do look lovely. Turn around." {Helaine 
 does so.) "You are like a dainty creation 
 in Dresden china." 
 
 {Ambassadress arranges the how in the 
 hack of Helaine' s dress.) "Where did you 
 get the beautiful roses?" {Helaine shows 
 emharrassment.) 
 
 Ambassador — "Such a superfluous ques- 
 tion. They are a donation from the Old 
 Men's Home. Are they not, Helaine?" {He- 
 laine hugs them up close.) 
 
 Helaine — "I shall not answer such im- 
 pudence." {She takes the Amhassadress by 
 the arm and leads her down stage.) "Read 
 this." {She gives the Ambassadress a note 
 which she takes out of her girdle. The Am- 
 bassador walks to rear, lights a cigarette and 
 talks to the butler at door C rear.) 
 
 Ambassadress — {Reading.) "Oh, had 
 I but a world, like Marc Antony, to lay at 
 thy feet, my Cleopatra." {Smiles.) 
 
 Helaine — {Handing her a second one 
 and naively.) "Now, read this. It came 
 with the books yesterday." 
 
 Ambassadress — {Reading note.) 
 
Act V 139 
 
 "Sunlit eyes and sunklssed tresses 
 And a sweet madonna's face, 
 With the beauty that it possesses 
 And all the charm of human grace. 
 
 Buonarotti's sculptured marble 
 Hath no symmetry more choice, 
 
 Nor the mocking bird's sweet warble 
 Is sweeter than your voice." 
 
 {Shaking head at Helaine.) "My, my, 
 but he is a lover." {Laughs heartily.) 
 
 Helaine — {Snatching the notes peevishly 
 and placing them in the bosom of her dress.) 
 "Oh, Tante, he is such a dear, and I love 
 him madly. After my awful experience and 
 from what he saved me, in the face of almost 
 certain death to himself, have I not earned a 
 right to marry for love, one of my own choos- 
 ing, and has he not a positive claim on me, if 
 he wants me?" 
 
 Ambassadress — "How do you know he 
 wants you, my little puss; has he proposed 
 yet?"^ 
 
 Helaine — {Hanging her head and then 
 looking up.) "No, not yet; but he will." 
 {She clasps her hand over her heart and 
 face brightens.) "To-night; I feel it." 
 
 Ambassadress — "And will you accept 
 him?" 
 
140 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Helaine — "Don't press me on that point, 
 but please send a despatch to my mother ex- 
 plaining and interceding for me, won't you, 
 dear Tante?" 
 
 Ambassadress — "But you hardly know 
 the man. You have known him only a few 
 days. You can not know your mind so soon." 
 
 Helaine — "I shall tell you a secret." 
 {She puts her head on the Ambassadress* 
 shoulder and giggles.) "I have known him 
 a long time. Ever since the day I got here." 
 {Laughing.) "He worked for me!" {Gig- 
 gles again.) 
 
 Ambassadress — "Helaine, stop this non- 
 sense. What do you mean, child? He 
 worked for you?" 
 
 Helaine — "When those two polished and 
 elegant rascals, my escorts, Monsieurs Bidel- 
 eux and Toriont" {She hows in mock cour- 
 tesy)^ "and myself arrived in this city, we 
 looked about for a courier. We saw a sign 
 at the depot which said 'Couriers to be had 
 here' ; under this sign stood a fine-looking 
 young man. I quickly told Toriont to engage 
 him. When we approached him on the sub- 
 ject he appeared somewhat taken back, but 
 saw the sign which was over his head and 
 then he saw me. Tante, I can never forget 
 that look. He seemed to drink in my soul 
 through his eyes, and I felt myself drifting 
 
Act V 141 
 
 towards him. I felt something primeval rise 
 In me and say, 'This Is he!' He looked at 
 me so long that BIdeleux spoke to him 
 sharply. He Immediately retained his com- 
 posure, blushed profusely, apologized deeply, 
 and said that It would be his pleasure to show 
 us about the city. However, his actions were 
 so marked that they dismissed him at the 
 gate of YUdlz, and he refused to take any 
 money, but merely looked at me right hard 
 and said he had been amply rewarded. He 
 blushed again and stated that the porter of 
 the Pera Palace Hotel would get him for us 
 should we need him. All the way from the 
 depot to the palace we tried to talk to each 
 other, but could not, and do you know, 
 Tante, all the time I was In that old horrid 
 harem I felt sure It would be he who would 
 rescue me. I prayed that it would be he." 
 
 Ambassadress — "And pray when did you 
 find out that he was the Charge d' Affaires 
 of the American Embassy?" 
 
 Helaine — "Not until I was liberated; 
 that is where the joke Is on me." {Laugh- 
 ingly.) "I thought all along I was in love 
 with a courier." 
 
 Ambassadress — "I have already advised 
 your mother of this love affair, and knowing 
 what a headstrong girl you are, I have asked 
 
142 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 her how to act. I think we shall receive a 
 despatch from her to-day." 
 
 Ambassador — {Coviing down stage to 
 them.) "Our guests are arriving." 
 
 {Orchestra at L starts playing soft music. 
 Ambassadress, Ambassador and Helaine 
 walk to C and there receive the guests. He- 
 laine stands down stage.) 
 
 Butler — "His Excellency, the Ambassa- 
 dor of England, and her excellency the Am- 
 bassadress, en suite." {The suite is made 
 up of the Ambassador and Ambassadress, 
 two secretaries of the Embassy, and the cap- 
 tain of the gunboat attached to the Embassy. 
 These bow low to the host, hostess and guest 
 of honor and make way for the others by 
 walking to the punch bowl. The men kiss 
 the hands of the ladies in greeting them.) 
 
 Butler — {As others come in from L and 
 R rear, and enter room through arch C 
 Rear.) "Their Excellencies, the Ambassa- 
 dor and Ambassadress of Russia, en suite. 
 Their Excellencies, the Ambassador and Am- 
 bassadress of Germany, en suite. Their 
 Excellencies, the Ambassador and Ambassa- 
 dress from Austria-Hungary, en suite. 
 Their Excellencies, the Ambassador and 
 Ambassadress of Spain, en suite. Buchnam 
 Pasha, Ismed Bey, Kianil Pasha, Costa Con- 
 
Act V 143 
 
 stantinidis Bey, His Excellency, Hilmat 
 Pasha." 
 
 ( The guests, after greeting the hostess, 
 guest of honor and host, gather in small 
 groups; some partake of punch. The men 
 crowd around Helaine. A beautiful piece 
 of music is finished. All applaud,) 
 
 Butler — "His Excellency, the American 
 Ambassador and the Charge d' Affaires of the 
 American Embassy." 
 
 {All talk is hushed. On entering both bow 
 deeply to the assemblage and walk over to 
 the host, hostess and guest of honor,) 
 
 American Ambassador — "Your Excel- 
 lency, Madame and Mademoiselle, we are 
 late. I guess it is better late than never, but 
 if I had not been the better man, we both 
 would never have arrived here. You would 
 have thought that this young man was the 
 Sun's bride and I was the High Priest, 
 bringing him here to be sacrificed." {All 
 laugh, ) 
 
 Helaine — {Aside.) "Raymond, how 
 could you?" 
 
 Raymond — {Embarrassed.) "That's all 
 chaff. He insisted on our trying to get here 
 before you were all up this morning." {Kisses 
 her hand, aside,) "Ah, and I thought that 
 velvet was soft." {He tries to kiss it again, 
 but she snatches it away,) 
 
144 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Helaine — "I want a word with you, 
 young man." {She takes him over to divan, 
 front stage, and they sit down. Shaking 
 finger in his face.) "Why have you avoided 
 me since our escape? If you do not care, 
 why do you persist in sending me such pretty 
 flowers, books and such lovely little notes?" 
 
 Raymond — {Looking at her steadily,) 
 "Helaine, ever since that morning at Yildiz, 
 when you took the bandage off my eyes and I 
 looked into yours, I have been in a dream. 
 I was afraid if I came about you and said 
 what was in my heart to say I would wake 
 up with a jolt." 
 
 Helaine — "Will this wake you?" {She 
 leans over and slyly kisses him on the cheek.) 
 
 Raymond — "Why, Helaine." {He looks 
 at her in amazement. Pause.) "You have 
 now thrown me into a deep trance. It will 
 take a hundred more to bring me out." 
 
 Helaine — {Laughing.) "You talk very 
 much as though you had your full senses." 
 
 Raymond — {Taking Helaine* s hand.) 
 "Dear, since I saw you at the depot, and 
 lost you again, I have been nearly frantic. 
 I haunted the Pera Palace hotel, but the 
 porters told me your party had left and I 
 thought you had gone with them. To get 
 you back in the way I have has made you 
 dearer to me than existence, but I had not 
 
Act V 145 
 
 then, nor have I now, the right to make love 
 to you, and to ask for an obligation on your 
 part until first I have a home and a better 
 position to give you. At any moment I may 
 be sent to Africa or to some outrageous fever- 
 ridden place In Central America. I can't ask 
 you to share such a life and on such a pit- 
 tance I receive if I loved you and your com- 
 fort. You, who have been brought up like a 
 princess. Anyway" {Fervently) ''you are 
 my queen, and I love you." 
 
 Helaine — {Fervently.) "You are my 
 king, and I love you. I can wait." {Both 
 sigh,) 
 
 Butler — {Announcing.) "Kevshet Pasha, 
 Generalissimo, and Javid Bey, new Minister 
 of Finance." 
 
 {Helaine and Raymond stand up. Kevshet 
 and Javid how and present themselves to the 
 host, hostess and walk over to Helaine, Both 
 kiss her hand, bowing deeply. They shake 
 hands with Raymond.) 
 
 Kevshet — "In behalf of the army and 
 government, I want to thank you two young 
 people for the part you played in this revo- 
 lution. I thank you, effendi, for aiding the 
 young lady to escape, for if this had not been 
 she would have been unable to have informed 
 us of the secret passage by means of which 
 we captured the escaping Sultan." 
 
146 Within the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 Javid Bey — {He has a portfolio in his 
 hand.) "When taken, he had on his person 
 notes and securities equivalent to several 
 million dollars in your money. These we 
 would have lost had it not been for you, 
 Mademoiselle, and in behalf of the Young 
 Turks I take pleasure in presenting to you 
 as a token of our gratitude and as a recom- 
 pensation, small as it may be, for your de- 
 plorable, compulsory incarceration, the sum 
 of a hundred thousand Turkish liras. I pray 
 you to honor us by accepting same." {He 
 extends the portfolio to Helaine, who takes 
 it as in a daze. All applaud heartily.) 
 
 Helaine — "I hardly know what to say. 
 I am so very grateful for getting out, and I 
 expected no recompensation. I don't know 
 how much this is, but I know it must be a 
 whole lot. I thank you, Monsieurs." {She 
 courtesies.) 
 
 American Ambassador — {Holding a 
 document in his hand.) "Ladies and gentle- 
 men. Here is something that arrived in the 
 mail a very short time ago, but I have held 
 it back for such a propitious time as this." 
 {He holds aloof the docinnent.) "This con- 
 tains bad news for most of us while very 
 good news to one of us, possibly two." {He 
 looks at Helaine as he opens the document.) 
 "This instructs one Raymond McKensie, 
 
Act V 
 
 147 
 
 former Charge d'Affaires American Em- 
 bassy, stationed at Constantinople, to proceed 
 at once to Tangier and to occupy there the 
 post of Envoy Extraordinary Minister 
 Plenipotentiary for the United States of 
 America." {Loud applause.) "I might add 
 that there is no fairer spot on this green 
 globe. Where it is never cold nor hot, where 
 the flowers always bloom, and where the deli- 
 cious tangerines grow. An ideal place for a 
 honeymoon." (^All laugh and applaud.) 
 
 {A servant comes in from R2E, gives a 
 despatch to the French Ambassadress, who 
 reads it and hands it to the Ambassador. 
 Exit servant R2E.) 
 
 French Ambassador — {Taking mes- 
 sage.) "Here is a despatch to my wife from 
 France which she has asked me to read." 
 {Reading.) " 'We are so elated over the 
 news of Helaine's safety that we want only 
 her happiness considered. I leave everything 
 in your hands, my dear Louise. Act afs 
 though she were your daughter. I have ab- 
 solute confidence in your judgment. Love to 
 you both. Geneveve.' " 
 
 Helaine — {Rushing up to the Ambassa- 
 dress and swinging her around.) "Say yes, 
 Tante; say yes I" 
 
 Ambassadress — {Kissing her on the 
 
148 IFithin the Gates of Yildiz 
 
 cheek.) "You are Irresistible, Helaine, and 
 headstrong." 
 
 Helaine — "Say it ! say it ! say it !" 
 
 Ambassadress — {Patting her on the 
 cheek.) "Yes — yes — yes!" 
 
 {Helaine rushes to Raymond and both 
 dance around in a ring.) 
 
 Butler — "Refreshments are being served 
 in the salle a manger," 
 
 {All exeunt C door rear walking to L, 
 except Raymond and Helaine, who remain 
 standing at C. 
 
 As the last person leaves, a form is seen 
 to slink along from R rear hack of the pillars 
 and enter C rear. Helaine and Raymond, 
 both startled, glance at it. The figure looks 
 around cautiously, then comes forward 
 quickly but noiselessly, salaams deeply, 
 kneels and kisses the hem of Helaine's 
 dress.) 
 
 Helaine — {Looking afraid and clinging 
 to Raymond.) "What do you wish — speak!" 
 
 Ben Hassan Ali — "Oh, wondrous one, 
 whose beauty dazzles the world, consider me, 
 Ben Hassan Ali, an emissary from one who 
 cannot come, nor dare write; one who 
 will never again know freedom's delight, but 
 is doomed for durance eternal in Salonika's 
 dulness infernal." 
 
Act V 149 
 
 Helaine — {Clasping her hands in excite- 
 ment.) "You — mean — the — ex-Sultan I" 
 
 Ben Hassan Ali — "No other than he." 
 {He salaams, and straightening up, suddenly 
 hands a bag to Helaine.) "His Majesty asks 
 that you accept this as a token of his pro- 
 found regard and everlasting respect. It is 
 all he has managed to retain." 
 
 Helaine — {Opens the bag and takes out 
 the necklace of aquamarines and diamonds, 
 and drops the bag on the floor.) "My neck- 
 lace. Isn't it a beauty?" {She hands it to 
 Raymond.) "I wanted it so before." {Fig- 
 ure slinks off towards C rear as Raymond 
 places it around her neck.) "After all, Ray- 
 mond, he was our guiding star." {She turns 
 towards figure who is backing out of the 
 doorway C rear and blows a kiss off the 
 end of her fingers.) "Take that to him." 
 {Messenger salaams and makes exit hur- 
 riedly rear R exit. Helaine places her hand 
 to her temples.) "Raymond, it is I who am 
 now in a dream — won't you wake me, dear?" 
 {Raymond clasps her to his breast and places 
 a lingering kiss on her upturned face as the 
 lights grow dim and the curtain slowly falls, 
 leaving the lovers enraptured in their kiss. 
 At encore stage is in darkness, but spot- 
 light is placed on faces of the two.) 
 Curtain 
 
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