There was pure and joyous malice in the green eyes. She stared at his breech cloth. «You daren't stand up,» she laughed. «You're afraid I'll see how excited you are.»

Blade busied himself with the lighter. It was running low on fuel. «Don't talk nonsense. You forget who I am. Hercules would never be bothered by such a thing.»

Her laughter came in a full-bodied shout. She bent over, her breasts pendants of symmetry. «You're embarrassed. You really are embarrassed. Hercules is embarrassed by Dianal»

«Like hell he is.» Blade joined her in laughter. He stood up, hoping that he was right about the seclusion of the cove. He had never been disturbed here, but that meant little. There could be peepers, and binoculars, and if so there would be, to paraphrase the old Yank song, a hot time in the old village tonight., Tongues would be clacking in the pubs. Blade thought of J's probable reaction, should he ever hear, and had to grin. J was something of an old woman. Astute, cunning at his job, but on the prim side. Lord Leighton, that scandalous old man, was another matter. He would revel in such a contretemps. Would demand details and relish them with goatish laughter.

«Ohl» She was staring at the massive bulge in his breechcloth.

«Is something wrong?» he inquired innocently.

«Oh, my Godl»

She turned and ran into the seas. Blade followed her, glancing up at the cliff rim. No sign of anyone. No revealing glint of sun on glasses. They were, Blade thought as he plunged into the cold water, probably going to get away with it. For the sake of all concerned he hoped so. The local constable, Bob Anderson, was a stolid man and capable enough but lacking in imagination. Blade went deep into the blue water, down to where it shaded into a cold green, the color of her eyes, and nearly choked at the thought of Diana and Hercules in magistrate's court.