On the right and left edges of this terrace sat old and bearded men, twelve in number, their heads bowed humbly and their eyes fixed upon the ground.

These were the dais or councillors.
At the head of the terrace, under an open and beautifully carved pavilion of wood, stood two gigantic soldiers, having the red dagger blazoned on their white robes.

Between them was a black cushion, and on the cushion a black heap.

At first, staring out of the bright sunlight at this heap in the shadow, the brethren wondered what it might be.

Then they caught sight of the glitter of eyes, and knew that the heap was a man who wore a black turban on his head and a black, bell-shaped robe clasped at the breast with a red jewel.