Chapters 40-42 Summary

When Black returns from the funeral, a royal page summons him to the palace. He waits in darkness, not knowing what fate awaits him. The Commander of the Imperial Guard strips and tortures Black, but does not really hurt him. Black passes the test. The Head Treasure and Commander assign Black and Master Osman the task of examining the clues and determining the identity of the murderer. Black and Master Osman have three days to examine all the pages subpoenaed from the artists' homes. Master Osman tells a parable about a jealous shah who locks away his daughter for her beauty. Her beauty escapes like a spirit and finds its way into an illustration. When the shah sees the illustration, he determines the guilty artists by the way he drew the ears, opening a conversation about style and signature. Master Osman...