Read it more carefully, people. The hotelier took the original E100
banknote to pay off his debts, therefore when the rich tourist came
downstairs and demanded his money back, it was no longer there. It had
been used. Therefore, the hotelier OWES the tourist his money, and is
gong to have to go into debt again in order to pay it back. The people
in the middle have all paid their bills, but the hotel owner is still on
the hook for the money, and therefore is still in debt. Moreover, he is
likely to get in real trouble with the local authorities for stealing
from a tourist.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans