" A charming story , I suppose ."
" Yes , but we educated men know it ' s a mere tale . Help me to prove it ' s only a
myth . Go to the promontory . The beach is beautiful , especially at night . See if the
Goddess appears ."
" What ? Of course , she won ' t . A walk would stretch my legs and I like a nice view ,
but why wait for Aphrodite to show up when we know she doesn ' t exist ?"
Nikon laughed and slapped a meaty thigh . " Exactly my point , McCrae . Everyone
knows an English gentleman does not lie , that he prizes the truth more highly than his
own life . Isn ' t that so ?"
" I ' m Scots , but , yes , the general principle applies . A gentleman mustn ' t lie ."
" So when you return after a pleasant hour or so at the promontory , you simply tell
everyone in the morning you saw no such creature as Aphrodite . You have no much idea
how much weight they ' ll give to an English , I mean , a Scottish gentleman ' s opinion ."
He pointed to a bundle on the table , tied up in a red kerchief . " There ' s a flask of
brandy inside along with some local cigars . You should be quite comfortable in your
cloak ."
The entreaty in Nikon ' s eyes was so sincere as to be almost comical . Kind hearted
and loath to disappoint a host , Spenser smiled and nodded .