On Tuesday, Hughes, proprietor of Beale's Antique Emporium, inserts an advertisement in the Acton Argos: "For sale. One only. Antique Steiff Tedy Bear. Made in about 1900. 1800 or nearest offer" Tel: 02076914560 Richards telephones later that day and says: " I'll take the Teddy bear for 1200..." Hughes replies " I coulden't possibly accept that. I would take 1500 though. Do you want to think about it?" Richards says he would like a few days to think it over. Hughes says that that would be agreeable and adds, I,ll hang on to the bear until Saturday. I won't sell it to anyone else, but you must let me know by friday if you want it ok? On Wensday, Richards telephones Hughes. Hughes is out, however, so Richards leaves a massage on Hughes answering machine saying " You're on! I'll buy the bear for 1500" A few minutes later, however, Menzies, Hughes' great uncle in attemptingto answer the phone, accidentally presses a button which completely wipes out Richards' massage. Later that same day, Hughes sells the bear to Furmston for 1800. That next day while out shopping, Richards happens to meet Furmston's aunt who informs him that her nephew had told her that Furmston was the proud new ownerof a Steiff bear. Richards anxiously dashes home and writes a letter confirming the message he had left on the answering machine. A little time later, Hughes writes to Richards withdrawing his offer. Finally, on Friday, Richards receives Hughes' letter in the 8.30 am post. At 1.00pm Hughes receives Richards' letter. Advice the parties.

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