_Le Soir_, _Le Petit Journal_, _Le Temps_, _La Patrie_ and all the other dailies contained leading articles on the wonderful richness of the baron's discovery. But although these newspapers made use of it as excellent copy, they one and all ridiculed it as a 'mare's nest,' and pointed out that no such mines ever had been, or ever would be found. Payot had not only taken up the 100 founders' shares of 1,000 francs each in cash which he borrowed on the securities at his bank, and which principally found its way into the pockets of the baron and Norcier, but he had further committed himself by underwriting 40,000 shares at 25 francs each. As he walked along the boulevard his ears were delighted by the hoarse cries of the newsvendors--"Discovery of a wonderful mine in Mexico," "The New Jerusalem Mine," "Meeting of the Directors," "Complete copy of the Prospectus." For a few days it was a seven days' wonder. Payot spent most of the day fingering the paper tape as it poured out of the slit of the machine like a serpent's tongue, and formed endless coils in a large wicker basket beneath it. At first the shares began to boom. He fingered the tape with nervous fingers. 25 francs came out in deep blue figures on the tape. Payot watched the tape roll out--French Rentes--Suez Canal shares--Messagerie Maritimes--Consols 79. Then the machine stopped suddenly of its own accord, and as suddenly started again only to stop once more. The financier at length saw the welcome news--New Jerusalem 25.50--26 francs--27.50--28--30 francs. "Hurrah! well done, Jerusalem the Golden"--35 francs--40 francs. "Ah, that's all right," he said, and the machine stopped again. He waited a long time, but a fresh quotation failed to appear. "Never mind, I will go to a first-class restaurant and enjoy a good dinner. 40 francs," he said to himself. "Well, I have nearly doubled my money already. That's good enough business for one day," and so saying he took a taxi and drove off to fetch the baron to dine with him and drink the health of the New Jerusalem Mine, in a bottle of Perrier Jouet. Early the following morning he took up the tape again. His heart thumped with excitement so much that he could hardly hold the tape steadily enough to read it. 34 francs, it began--35 francs, ah, that's better--40 francs--45 francs--50 francs. Payot actually clapped his hands with excitement, and caused several Agents de Bourse to turn round and look at what had excited him. "What is amusing you?" he enquired, looking round at a broker who was examining the tape over Payot's shoulder. "Only your excitement over those stupid Jerusalems." "What!" enquired Payot, "have you not bought any? I should advise you to do so immediately. They are climbing up fast, and if you wait you will have to pay through the nose for them, I can tell you."