Bathurst—Oh, stop your chaff!
Fenn—Well out with the infallible remedy for filling empty pockets.
Bathurst—The idea is to advertise to send fifteen disconnected stamps for twelve connected ones!
Fenn (starting up and doing a breakdown)—Oh, Jerusalem! that will be profitable.
Bathurst—Yes, stupid! The idea is as good as gold. You go and make the small capital required, and you will see wonders.
Fenn—But what are the particulars? How is it to be carried out?
Bathurst—For further particulars see our next. Come along now and play your best.
Good fortune attended Fenn's exertions that evening, and he came away the winner of more than the required sum. The following morning the scheme was fully discussed and final arrangements made for carrying it out. It is right to state that Bathurst's project was not altogether original on his part, the idea being taken from the "Arabian Nights Entertainment"—the exchanging of new lamps for old ones. The next day the following advertisement appeared in all the newspapers, and was circulated extensively:—
"Strange, but true!—A gentleman of position has good reasons of his own for wishing to exchange Fifteen disconnected Unused Penny Postage Stamps for Twelve Connected Ones!—Letters answered at once.—Address, 'Secretary, Box 44, No.——, Strand, London, W.C.'"