I never knew HIM, but
I am acquainted with one of his brothers--with one of his uncles--
or with one 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.
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