The Paid Piper

The town of Hamelin, Germany--which according to legend hired the Pied Piper in 1284--last week appointed another official rat catcher: Britain's Rentokil Ltd. It signed a $15,400 contract to rid the town of rats and mice. Applying the techniques that have boosted its annual sales to more than $11 million, Rentokil will use rodenticides, not flutes. Hamelin's children will distribute leaflets asking for aid in locating rodents, but the company has no further plans for the youngsters--unless perhaps the town lathers again rat on the deal.

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