"I wanted to talk to you about..."
The landlord cut him off. "There is an old woman living nearby who claims she knows how to make gold."
Cugel shrugged. "Gold? That's impossible. Gold can only exist in its native form, which is a tiny golden cube. If anyone succeeded in making gold, he would indeed become very wealthy. Regrettably, I am unable to envision the process of accomplishing such a feat. Why don't you ask the witch yourself?"
The landlord was indignant. "Why, because you know her and she will tell you a lie?"
"I'm afraid she probably will, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that she will also tell everyone else what you told her."
"She might, but what difference does that make? She knows nothing."
"Of course she knows something. Ask her for a sample of her product. If she offers you a piece of gold, refuse it immediately. Say, 'That isn't gold!' If she says, 'Yes, it is,' say, 'Show me.' If she shows you, then she knows something."
