The Sultan Selim immediately sent to Janina a "kapidgi-bachi," or plenipotentiary, to examine into the case and try the delinquent.
Arrived at Janina, this officer placed before Ali the proofs of his understanding with the enemies of the State.

Ali was not strong enough to throw off the mask, and yet could not deny such overwhelming evidence.

He determined to obtain time.
"No wonder," said he, "that I appear guilty in the eyes of His Highness.
This seal is certainly mine; I cannot deny it; but the writing is not that of my secretaries, and the seal must have been obtained and used to sign these guilty letters in order to ruin me.

I pray you to grant me a few days in order to clear up this iniquitous mystery, which compromises me in the eyes of my master the sultan and of all good Mahommedans.

May Allah grant me the means of proving my innocence, which is as pure as the rays of the sun, although everything seems against me!" After this conference, Ali, pretending to be engaged in a secret inquiry, considered how he could legally escape from this predicament.
He spent some days in making plans which were given up as soon as formed, until his fertile genius at length suggested a means of getting clear of one of the greatest difficulties in which he had ever found himself.