That was all.

JOHN

Then I will ask him.  Have you any other fancy?

MIRALDA

Not now, John.

JOHN

Then go, Miralda.

MIRALDA

Go?

JOHN

Yes.

MIRALDA

Why?

JOHN

Because I command it.

MIRALDA

Because you command it?

JOHN

Yes, I, the Shereef Al Shaldomir.

MIRALDA

Very well.

[Exit L.

He walks to the door to see that she is really gone.  He comes back to centre and stands with back to audience, pulling a cord quietly from his pocket and arranging it.

He moves half left and comes up behind Bazzalol.  Suddenly he slips the cord over BAZZALOL’s head, and tightens it round his neck.]

[Bazzalol flops on his knees.

Thoothoobaba goes on fanning.]

JOHN

Speak!

[Bazzalol is silent.

John tightens it more.  Thoothoobaba
goes on quietly fanning.]

BAZZALOL

I cannot.

JOHN

If you would speak, raise your left hand.  If you raise your left hand and do not speak you shall die.

[Bazzalol is silent.  John tightens more.  Bazzalol raises his great flabby left hand high.  John releases the cord.  Bazzalol blinks and moves his mouth.]

BAZZALOL

Gracious Shereef, one visited the great lady and gave us gold, saying, “Speak not.”

JOHN

When?

BAZZALOL

Great master, one hour since.

John [a little viciously]

Who?

BAZZALOL

O heaven-sent, he was Hafiz el Alcolahn.

JOHN

Give me the gold.

[Bazzalol gives it.]

[To Thoothoobaba.] Give me the gold.

THOOTHOOBABA

Master, none gave me gold.