A traveller entered a hotel in a small city.
In one hand he carried a hand-
bag and there was a heavy rope around his arm.
"what is the rope for?" asked the clerk.
“well, you see,” the travel explained, “not long ago I was a guest at a hotel, and it caught fire. There was no fire-escape, and I had a narrow escape getting down by the staircase. So now I always carry
This rope with me. If there is a fire, I can get down from my window.”
“I see,” said the clerk, “that is a very good Idea. But in this hotel the rule is that guests with their own fire-escapes always pay in advance.”