‘Here’s a story that should amuse you, Jean,’ said Professor Fordney to his efficient and charming secretary.
He laughed heartily as he handed her a letter from his old friend, George Collins, government investigator in Florida.
Jean read the following:
An old sailor sitting on the sands of Nassau mending his fishing net was approached by three rum-runners shortly after the break of dawn. They came seeking his advice in connection with a wager they had made among themselves the night before.
The three of them, having sampled too freely of the liquor they were to take the next day to Miami, had put up three thousand dollars as a prize for the owner of the last boat to reach Miami. The fact that their boss was in a hurry for the liquor had been completely forgotten.
Sobered, they realized the ridiculousness of the wager but while anxious to reach Miami as quickly as possible, they all agreed it was not to be changed.
The old sailor continued weaving the cords into his net with slow deliberation. In a few minutes, calling them to his side, he whispered exactly the same advice into the ear of each.
A smile spread over his weather-beaten face and he chuckled as the three rum-runners raced to the boats and started for Miami at top speed.
‘It is amusing,’ laughed Jean, ‘but he forgot to say what the old sailor whispered!’
‘That’s for you to figure out, young lady. I’ve never been a rum-runner, but I’ve got the answer.’
What advice did the old sailor whisper to the rum-runners?
