a quarter to ten
But the Sultan leaped down from his throne , beckoned with his hand to the Viziers , and whispered some words in the ear of the Kislar-Agasi , who thereupon withdrew . This whispered word went the round of the Viziers , who straightway did obeisance and disappeared in three different directions through the three doors of the room , their places being taken by two black slaves in red fezes and white robes , with broad-bladed , crooked swords in their hands . Only the Sultan remained behind there with the sailor . * * * * * The clocks in the rooms of the Seraglio struck a quarter to ten . The pen of the dervish in reply to the question of the favorite as to how many hours she had to live now wrote down '' 1/4 . '' At that moment the Kislar-Agasi entered . The favorite went to meet him , trembling like a lost lamb coming face to face with a wolf .