Slowly the three swooped down over the heap on the garden walk.

The tiny black shapes that beaded the yard-arms in port spread great wings and soared solemnly into Ascalon.

The three vultures dropped noiselessly on the pavement.
Cries began suddenly somewhere nearer and instantly the tremendous booming of a great oriental gong from the heathen quarters swept heavy floods of sound over the outcry and drowned it.

The vultures flew up hastily and Costobarus saw them for the first time.

A chill rushed over him; revulsion of feeling showed vividly on his face.