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.