H. R. then delegated the task of propounding the aureate question to a dozen lieutenants. Without varying one word the lieutenants asked the men whose charity would feed the starving.
Not one won the ten thousand dollars.
One of the reporters with the air of a man whose life depends upon the bulletin-board asked H. R.:
"What's the answer?"
The others heard H. R. reply:
"Ten thousand dollars in cash!"
"It is worth ten thousand of my dollars. You can make them yours."
"I guess it's a fake."
"That begins with an 'F.' Mine begins with an 'A.' The Mayor has the cash."