Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure (128 page)

             
The
interior
of
the
palace
was
cool
and
light,
the
white
walls
and
cool
stone
floors
combining
to
relieve
the
heat
outdoors.
Harry
'
s
artistic
eye
was
drawn
to
the
wonderful
geometric
patterns
carved
into
the
vaulted
ceiling
and
decorating
the
window
openings
and
doorjambs.
Finally
they
entered
a
large
high
ceilinged
room
in
which
sat
the
Sultan
himself
with
his
advisers
seated
below
him
on
either
side.
Harry
was
fascinated
by
the
imposing
figure
who
sat
at
his
ease
on
a
dais,
cushions
at
his
back
and
a
magnificent
carpet
beneath
him.
His
dark
visage
and
beaked
nose
offset
by
heavy
eyebrows
and
a
luxurious
moustache,
he
looked
every
bit
the
King
among
his
ministers.

             
Captain
Blackwood
made
his
bow
and
presented,
through
an
attendant,
the
letter
from
the
Governor
of
Bombay.
"
Sir,
"
he
began.
"
May
peace
and
blessings
be
upon
you.
I
am
Captain
Robert
Blackwood
of
His
Most
Britannic
Majesty
'
s
Ship
Spartan
.
I
bring
you
greetings
from
the
Governor
of
Bombay.
"

             
"
Welcome,
Captain
Blackwood.
"
The
Sultan
'
s
English
was
slightly
accented.
"
Peace
be
upon
you
and
your
ship.
What
brings
such
a
large
ship
as
yours
to
our
seas?
"

             
"
A
matter
of
abduction
and
piracy,
I
regret
to
say,
your
Majesty.
"
He
indicated
the
Company
Agent
and
continued,
"
Mr
Stewart,
of
the
Honourable
East
India
Company,
will
no
doubt
be
able
to
give
you
a
full
list
of
the
people
in
due
course.
My
ship
had
the
good
fortune
to
intercept
the
attempt
and
though
we
recovered
the
vessel,
the
crew
and
their
passenger
were
abducted
by
the
attackers.
"
Captain
Blackwood
watched
the
advisers
as
he
said
this
for
any
reaction.
He
had
not
expected
the
Sultan
to
be
quite
so
direct,
but
since
he
had
been
asked,
he
had
responded.

             
Harry
watched
the
whole
scene
carefully,
his
interest
in
the
room,
the
decoration
and
the
people
present
spurred
on
by
the
strangeness
of
the
surroundings.
Already,
in
his
mind
'
s
eye,
he
was
planning
a
painting
to
accompany
his
written
description
of
this
adventure.

             
The
Sultan
rose
from
his
seat
and
said,
"
We
will
discuss
this
further,
Captain.
But
first,
allow
me
to
offer
you
refreshments.
He
led
the
way
through
an
ornate
door
and
indicated
that
his
visitors
should
seat
themselves
once
he
had
done
so.
Negro
servants,
whom
Harry
very
quickly
realised
were
slaves,
immediately
presented
them
with
small
cups
of
coffee
to
which
cinnamon
had
been
added.
Platters
of
dates
and
roasted
nuts
were
placed
handily
between
the
visitors
and
before
the
Sultan
who
now
selected
several
different
items
from
the
platter
before
him
and
placed
these
on
small
delicate
plates
which
the
servants
now
brought
to
the
guests.
There
were
small
cakes
too,
and
a
variety
of
small
dishes
with
olives,
figs
and
a
range
of
fruits.
Sweetmeats
and
all
manner
of
delicacies
were
offered.
Harry,
with
the
appetite
of
a
growing
young
man,
gorged
himself.
As
a
result
he
barely
noticed
that
while
he
and
the
Captain
were
engaged
with
the
Sultan,
Mister
Stewart
and
his
colleague
retired
with
some
of
the
Sultan
'
s
advisers.

             
He
was
surprised
to
find
himself
being
addressed
by
the
Sultan
asking
his
age,
"
I
beg
pardon,
si
–
majesty,
"
he
said,
gulping
down
the
cake
he
had
just
placed
in
his
mouth.
"
I
am
fourteen,
nearly
fifteen,
sir.
"

             
"
Fourteen
nearly
fifteen,
"
the
Sultan
repeated,
a
small
smile
playing
on
the
corners
of
his
mouth.
He
studied
Harry
for
a
moment,
then
nodded.
"
And
you
enjoy
this
life
at
sea?
"

             
"
Indeed
I
do,
sir.
It
has
given
me
the
opportunity
to
see
many
things
and
places
and
some
fabulous
and
interesting
beasts,
sir.
"

             
"
And
what
have
you
seen
of
this
palace
that
interests
you,
Mister
Heron?
"
The
Sultan
smiled.
"
I
have
noticed
your
interest
in
the
decoration
of
the
walls
and
the
ceiling.
Is
this
of
some
special
interest
to
you?
"