My name is Henry Adams. When I was 27, I worked in New York. One Saturday afternoon, I sailed my small boat, but a strong wind pushed me into the Pacific Ocean. Luckily, a British ship going to London saved me.
I had only one dollar when I got to London. I was tired and hungry. Then, a man from a nearby house called me inside. I went into a nice room where two old men were talking. The two men were brothers. They had been arguing (争吵) for days about something strange. One brother said, "If an honest and smart stranger comes to London with no friends or money, with only a £1,000,000 bank note, he will die from hunger. If he tries to change this big note at the bank, the police will think he stole it and arrest (逮捕) him." The other brother disagreed.
The two men decided to solve their argument with a bet. They chose me because I looked honest and clever. Also, I was new to England. One of them gave me an envelope (信封) and told me not to open it until I was in my hotel room.
After leaving the house, I opened the envelope and saw money inside! I rushed to the nearest restaurant. After eating, I tried to pay with the money but found out it was a one million pound note! It made my head swim. No one could cash (兑现金) it. The restaurant owner said, "You can pay whenever you want, sir. I know you are a rich gentleman playing jokes by dressing like a poor man."
I quickly went back to the house but was told they had left for a trip. Then I remembered the letter in the envelope. It said, "In this envelope, you will find some money. It is yours for only 30 days. At the end of that time, return to this house. We have a bet on you." How strange! Then, I went to a clothes shop to buy a cheap suit. When I showed the shop owner the bank note, he got angry because the salesman (销售员) sold me such a bad suit.
(To be continued)
C. Because the writer dressed like a poor man.
D. Because the writer was an honest and clever stranger.
A. I was sad about the bank note.
B. I was so excited that I wanted to swim.
C. I was surprised by such a big bank note.
D. I was afraid of swimming because of the wind.
A. The owner served me a good suit politely.
B. I met the two gentlemen in the clothes shop. C. The salesman continued to sell me cheap suits.
D. I thought the bank note was useless and threw it away.
