ne of his nephews."

Very often years of constant research, a large outlay of money, and
costly and skilful advertising in all the European journals, are
necessary before this result is reached. And it is only when it has been
attained that the agent can take time to breathe. But now the chances
are greatly in his favor. The worst is over. The portion of his task
which depended on chance alone is concluded. The rest is a matter of
skill, tact, and shrewdness. The detective must give place to the crafty
lawyer. The agent must confer with this heir, who has been discovered at
the cost of so much time and trouble and induce him to bestow a portion
of this prospective wealth on the person who is able to establish
his claim. There must be an agreement in writing clearly stating what
proportion--a tenth, a third, or a half--the agent will be entitled
to. The negotiation is a very delicate and difficult one, requiring
prodigious presence of mind, and an amount of duplicity which would make
the most astute diplomatist turn pale with envy. Occasionally, the heir
suspects the truth, sneers at the proposition, and hurries off to claim
the whole of the inheritance that belongs to him. The agent may then bid
his hopes farewell. He has worked and spent money for nothing.

However, such a misfortune is of rare occurrence. On hearing of the
unexpected good fortune that has befallen him, the heir is generally
unsuspicious, and willingly promises to pay the amount demanded of him.
A contract is drawn up and signed; and then, but only then, does the
agent take his client into his confidence. "You are the relative of such
a person, are you not?" "Yes." "Very well. He is dead, and you are his
heir. Thank Providence, and make haste to claim your money."

As a rule, the heir loyally fulfils his obligation. But sometimes
it happens that, when he has obtained undisputed possession of the
property, he declares that he has been swindled, and refuses to fulfil
his part of the contract. Then the case must go to the courts. It is
true, however, that the judgment of the tribunals generally recalls the
refractory client to a sense of gratitude and humility.

Now our friend M. Isidore Fortunat was a hunter of missing heirs.
Undoubtedly he often engaged in other business which was a trifle less
respectable; but heir-hunting was one of the best and most substantial
sources of his income. So we can readily understand why he so quickly
left off lamentin