第23部分(第5/7 頁)

　that　an

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artist　shouldn’t　illustrate　just　any　scene　for　money　alone。　In　place　of　weapons；

armies； slaves and conquests； we believe that the old myths； legends and

stories　ought　to　be　introduced　anew　into　our　books。　We　shouldn’t　forgo　the

old　models。　Genuine　miniaturists　shouldn’t　loiter　at　the　shops　in　the　bazaar

and　paint　any　old　thing；　depictions　of　indecency；　for　a　few　extra　kurush　from

anybody　who　happens　by。　His　Excellency　Our　Sultan　would　find　us　justified。”

“You’re　incriminating　yourself　senselessly；”　I　said　so　he　might　be　done　with

his　ranting。　“I’m　convinced　that　the　atelier　could　not　harbor　anybody　capable

of mitting such a crime。 You’re all brethren。 There’s no great harm in

illustrating a few subjects that haven’t been depicted previously； at least no

harm　so　great　as　to　be　an　occasion　for　enmity。”

As　happened　when　I　first　heard　the　horrid　news；　I　had　an　epiphany　of　sorts。

Elegant Effendi’s murderer was one of the premier masters in the palace

workshop　and　he　was　a　member　of　the　crowd　before　me；　climbing　the　hill　that

led　to　the　cemetery。　I　was　also　convinced　that　the　murderer　would　continue

with　his　devilry　and　sedition；　that　he　was　an　enemy　of　the　book　I　was　making；

and most probably； that he’d visited my house to pick up some work

illustrating and painting。 Had Butterfly； too； like most of the artists who

frequented　my　house；　fallen　in　love　with　Shekure？　As　he　made　his　assertions；

had　he　forgotten　the　times　when　I’d　requested　that　he　paint　pictures　that　were

contrary　to　his　point　of　view；　or　was　he　just　needling　me　with　expert　skill？