Think of banking today and the image is of grey-suited men in towering skyscrapers. Its future, however, is being shaped in converted warehouses and funky offices in San Francisco, New York and London, where bright young things in jeans and T-shirts huddle around laptops, sipping lattes or munching on free food.

Col. Why, they say she's one of the chief toasts in town. Lady S. Ay, when all the rest are out of it. Miss. Well; I wouldn't be as sick as she's proud for all the world. Lady A. She looks as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but, I warrant, cheese won't choke her. . . . Col. I can't pardon her for her rudeness to me.

Houdini took his secrets to the grave, as he died shortly after performing one of his most famous escapes.

Shall we post a notice about the new policy?