One night shortly after his transfer to Swarthmore College, Robert Maxwell asked for his coach's permission to visit Philadelphia. The coach consented, stipulating as a condition that he be home by 1:00 a.m.

Upon Maxwell's return, the coach awoke and, weary with sleep, demanded to know what time it was. "A little before wuh-wuh-one," Maxwell replied, as a distant clock struck... five times.

"Either you're a liar," the coach declared, "or that clock stutters as badly as you do."