The Taken Hand

  A SUCCESSFUL Man of Business, having occasion to write to a Thief,
expressed a wish to see him and shake hands.

  "No," replied the Thief, "there are some things which I will not
take - among them your hand."

  "You must use a little strategy," said a Philosopher to whom the
Successful Man of Business had reported the Thief's haughty¹ reply. 
"Leave your hand out some night, and he will take it."

  So one night the Successful Man of Business left his hand out of
his neighbour's pocket, and the Thief took it with avidity.