Crying loudly, “Allah, Allah,” the group hurried toward the door of the Women’s Lodgings. There they met several Black Eunuchs who were standing guard. When the guards saw the Imperial Firman and heard the direct command of Solyman Aga, they allowed the group to enter. However, this permission was given only on the condition that no more than twenty men would go inside the chambers.
Those who were best armed were chosen to enter first. They moved carefully through the rooms of the young women and attendants, their steps quick but cautious.
The False Alarm in the Inner Chambers
As they passed deeper into the lodgings, they were suddenly confronted by the Queen’s Buffoon, who stood before them holding a pistol. She demanded to know why they had come. They answered directly that they sought the King’s Grandmother.
The woman boldly replied, “I am she,” and immediately attempted to fire her pistol. However, the weapon failed and only ignited the powder in the pan. At once, the Ichoglans seized her, believing that they had found the Queen at last.
But Solyman Aga, the Kizlar-Aga, quickly corrected them and ordered that the woman be released. He directed them instead toward the true chamber of the Old Queen Private Ephesus Tours.
The Dark Chamber of the Old Queen
When they opened the door to the Queen’s chamber, they found the room very dark. The women’s quarters in the Seraglio were usually built to be dim and enclosed, and lamps were kept burning both day and night. Yet, as the officers approached, the Old Queen had extinguished her candles.
She had climbed into a large press or cupboard, hiding herself beneath quilts and carpets, hoping to escape discovery.
Anger and Confusion Among the Officers
Torches were brought in, and the men searched the room carefully. At first, they found nothing. This failure enraged them, and they turned angrily upon Solyman Aga, accusing him of allowing the Queen to escape. In their fury, some even threatened to kill him.
Solyman, however, calmly urged them to search more thoroughly and not act in haste.
The Queen Is Discovered
At last, one of the men, called Deli Dogangi, climbed onto the press. He pulled away the coverings and discovered the Old Queen, crouched in a corner, trembling with fear.
When she realized she had been found, she softly began to plead with him, her voice low and desperate, as she sought mercy in her final moments.