Summary

This section begins at Gore sits on his terrace at La Rondinaia overlooking the Mediterranean while awaiting the arrival of Dash Hardy and his young protegee. In front of him were copies of each of their books, a few among the many her received each week from authors desiring his comments and perhaps endorsement. He recalled when he first met Dash at a queer club in New York. Dash had introduced himself and hoped that Gore would be willing to read his soon to be published first novel. Gore agreed and was surprised that it was rather good. A friendship between the two men ensued and they would visit each other whenever they were in the same city.

Although Gore thought the young author quite beautiful he was immediately suspicious of him. He was well aware that young boys knew how...