The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-04-26
This is one of The Times
Novel Week
series.
II will be finished In six
big instaIlments.
series.

RaOul Dumas, farls. ne cdiiicu
4 small satchel In his hand and
roll of music under one arm.
His room was on the third
floor, In the rear.
Upon the wall near the door
was an electric push button to-
gether with card instructing the
gueets as to the number of rings
necessary to summan the walter,
the bell boy, or the maid. Three
rings, 1t appeared, were required
TO secure the presence OF the lat
ter,
Raoul Dumas pressed the but
ton three times. In four or five
minutes there was a knock on
the door, and there entered an
attractive-looking Fresch girl OF
Is or "a. her arms filled with
towels.
Have | the pleasure, M. Du-
mas inquired, ito address Mile.
Msroier?"
The girl started. Eyes, mon
sleur," she replied. But how
should you know my manner"
IT was sure | could not be mis-
taken. Your father has so often
described you to me-"
"You knew my father"
Every we'll. We met often in
Paris before his death. Like him
self. | have the little hobby Of
collecting old coins"
"Ah!" The girl started violent
iy. "And what do you wish with
mef"
81 will tell you. A few weeks
before your father died he came
into possession of a valuable old
eoin,-a one-franc piece, OF the
eme of the first Napoleon. His
first intention was to sell 1t and
send you the money-in fact, |
offered to buy 1t from him-for
the account OF a wealthy patron
occasionally serve in that way. He
refused. claiming that the price
offered was not enough. | was
Obliged to leave Paris shortly aft
Or for several weeks. On my re-
turn | was grieved to learn that
your father was dead and that he
had sent the coin to you. My pat
ron meanwhile increased the
amount of his offer, and In his
anxiety to possess the coin, au
thorized me to come here from
Paris and purchase 1t from you.
The girl drew back frightened
and confused. II am afraid
cannot sell you the coin," SHE
said.
"Why not, mademoiselle?"
"Beeause-I-I have alread.
received another offer"
The girl drew letter from hel
pocket. Here is the letter, mon
sieur. Since you are a friend o.
my father, you will perhaps ad
wise me what | should do"
NJ. Dumas read the letter with
out replying. 1t said:
Ny Dear Mile. MERCER:
am informed that you have
I'm your possession one-fran,
piece Of the period 'of the frs
Napoleon. The matter has com,
70 my attention through the un
fortunate death of my brother
George Vernon, formerly purser o
the steamship Richclieu. l desire
70 purchase this piece for the &C
ooont Of a wealthy collector In
the city, and i am authorized Il
offer you the sum OF 81, 900 fol-
Il, provided It Is of the date ant
character represented. IL you
will bring the coin 10 my apart
mont, No. - 10th ST., this even
ing at 900 o'clock, I will examine
lt. and II satisfactory, pay you
the money. Very sincerely,
CHARLES VERNON.
"A very fair offer, mademoi
seile," remarked VI. Dumas
handing the girl back the letter.
You advise me 10 accept 1t
them"
Eyes, unless the coin is an ex
ceptionally fine specimen.
But, monsieur, | know moth
ing of such matters"
Indeed" remarked VI. Dumas
smiling. IF you care to have mt
do 80 | will examine the piece"
THANK you. / will get II.
have placed 1t in the hands of tn,
management for safe keeping"
She put down her towels ane
hurried from the room.
nj. Dumas walked up and dowr
the little room gazing curiously a
the one-franc piece he had drawn
from his pocket.
In few moments the girl re
turned, carrying a sealed envel
ope. which she at once tore open
Removing from II one-fran,
piece. she handed II to NJ. Dumas
The latter took it. and, goin,
TO the window, proceeded to ex
anime IL with great care. Hi
back was, for moment, turne,
to the girl. In that instant h,
transferred the franc piece h,
had previously held to the palm
OF his hand. and deftly slipped tn,
one the girl had brought him int,
his waistcoat pocket. Then h,
turned.
ut is an excellent specimen
mademoiselle," he said; "but
feel sure that my patron woul,
mot be willing to pay more thai
$4,000 for II. Five thousan,
francs! II Is a large sum. ad