The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-04-29
Next Weeks:
Sunshine Jane"
SS.
by Anne Warner

"~~~~S>"~~~>@'~"@~~> >~>S--~~>-~~~~>~-~S~
MY BELOVED DAUGHTERS:
am sending-yOu a one franc
piece. 1t Is my legacy-fOr your flu
ture.
When you get it take-a pin and
press
it into the eye-of Napoleon. A lever
VIII then be thrown out mt one
the coin, Pull-this, and you will
UNDER
stand why | have-sent Il. II Ii a
great fortune. 1 dis covered the
secret
OF the coin while cleaning It on my
deathbeJ 1t is the-famOus frame of
Napoieon' Use your for-tune well,
child, and do-nOt forget the
poor. ! embrace You and send
you my love and a Thousand
kisses.
Your loving father.
ALPliONSE MERC-IER.
81 am afraid" remarked the
girl helplessly, as she passed the
letter to the others to read, that
am as much in the dark as be-
fore"
Lefevre rose and stepped to-
ward Mr.. Germaine's desk. "Will
you be so good as to give me a
pin?" he said.
The managing director took one
from a bowl on the desk and hand
ed 1t to the project, who then ask
ed Mile. MERCER for the franc
piece.
He held the coin in the palm of
his left hand, while the others
crowded about eagerly. Inserting
the pin in the eye of the face of
Napoleon which was stamped upon
the coin, he pressed it sharply. At
once tiny lever like those some
times found on watches, for set
ting them, sprung out from one
side.
The project took this between
his fingers and gave a gentle pull.
immediately a section of the mill
ed edge of the coin turned out
ward, revealing a tiny flat cavity
within, of no greater thickness
than the blade of knife. In this
cavity lay what appeared to be a
bit OF soiled tissue paper.
With trembling fingers Lefevre
drew out the scrap of paper and
unfolded it. The project glanced
at the engraving which covered its
surface, smiled, then handed II
TO the young French girl. Here is
your future, mademoiselle," he
said.
She looked at 1t, astonished.
What is it?" she asked uncer-
tainly.
"A bank note of the French en-
pire," he replied, "for the sum of
100000 francs" 10
1t took the little party several
minutes to fully comprehend the
Importance of the scrap of paper
which lay before them. At last Mr..
Morris spoke.
1t seems to be genuine
enough" he said, but how the
devil did it get there, inside that
coin. and why?" ;.
The project smiled. 81 will tell
YOU he said. II learned the his
tory OF the coin while in Paris last
week,
During the early period Of the
Emperor Napoleon reign he had
as every one knows, a constant
need of money.
From time to time issues of
coins OF various denominations, az
well as bank notes, were made.
but there were many who distrust-
ed Napoleon's success, and the is
sues were not always received
with favor.
In order to create popular
coinage some Of his ministers GEN.
celved the idea of issuing a large
number of one-franc pieces, in one
OF which should be, cleverly con-
cealed, a bank note of 100000
francs
A coin was selected at random
and clever matchmaker was en-
ployed to make within it the secret
cavity in which the note was
placed and the coin thrown in
with many millions of similar
coins in circulation.
The experiment was huge
success, yet, up to now IL cost the
government nothing. Everybody
scrambled to get the new coins
"a great many were DESTROYED
In fruitless efforts to find the
banknote, but it was never found
AT last people came to look upon
the coin as mythical.
Only by the luckiest of chances
could 1t have been discovered.
and that chance. Mile. Mercier.
fell to the lot of your father"
The project paused.
He raised his hand to his face.
calmly removed his pointed gray
mustache and imperial, took off
his wig, and laughed.
"DuvallH' exclaimed Mr.. Ger
main, stepping suddenly back
ward. 1T is not possible!"
Sacre nom de Dieu!" gasped
Captain Bonnet.
And where, may I ask, is M.
Lefevre?" asked the astounded
managing director, as soon as he
could collect his wits.
He has been enjoying the
gaieties of my place at Newport
for the past three weeks, "!replied
Duvall. ~
THE END.