Because he was unable, for legal reasons, to take his Spanish royalties out of Spain, the writer William Somerset Maugham elected to spend the money on a lavish Spanish vacation.

Staying in one of the country's finest hotels and dining out each night, his resources were soon depleted. His mission accomplished, Maugham informed the hotel's manager that he would be leaving at last and asked for the bill.

The manager smiled at his distinguished visitor. "It has been an honor having you here," he declared. "You have brought us much good publicity. Therefore, there is no bill!"