Henry Ernest Dudeney/Modern Puzzles/18 - A Curious Paradox

by : $18$

 * A Curious Paradox
 * A man went into a shop to pay a little bill that he owed.
 * On placing the money on the counter he found that he had not quite sufficient,
 * owing to a small purchase that he had thoughtlessly made on the way.


 * "I am so sorry," he said, "but you see I am a little short.


 * "Oh, that is all right," replied the tradesman, after looking at the money, "it won't make any difference to me."


 * ''My good man!" exclaimed the man ...


 * ''... etc. etc. ...


 * ... But really it will not affect my pocket in the slightest."


 * Can you explain the mystery?
 * It may come to you in a flash.
 * The tradesman was certainly correct.