In this short story by Mark Twain, two brothers decide to give a bank note worth a million pounds sterling to Henry Adams, the narrator.

The two brothers have made a bet. One brother is sure that Henry will be able to survive for a month even though he will not be able to cash the bank note, even if he has no other means of supporting himself. This brother's argument is that the mere ability to withdraw such an enormous sum of money will induce everyone Henry meets to offer him food, clothes, and other things on credit. The second brother does not think that having the bank note will be of any benefit to Henry, because he will not be able to cash it.

The note the brothers give to Henry explains the terms of the bet. They tell him that he is not allowed to cash the bank note or to spend it and that he must come back to them in thirty days with the note. If he wins the bet for the first brother, he will be able to have any job for which he is adequately qualified. In the end, the first brother is proven right: Henry is able to more than sustain himself for a month, despite the fact that he cannot cash his note.