about midnight
`` To-morrow you shall see his dead body , '' said the Kizlar-Aga to the new Reis-Effendi , and with that he sent him and his comrade back to Halil . `` We would rather have had them alive , '' said the ex-ciaus , so suddenly become one of the chief dignitaries of the state . That same evening Halil sent back Sulali with the message that the Chief Mufti might go free . The old man quitted his comrades about midnight , and day had scarce dawned when he was summoned once more to the presence of the Grand Seignior . All night long the Kizlar-Aga tormented Achmed with the saying of the Reis-Effendi : `` We would rather have them alive ! '' `` No , no , '' said the Sultan , `` we will not have them delivered up alive . It shall not be in the power of the people to torture and tear them to pieces .