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 lamenting that forty thousand francs
lent to the Marquis de Valorsay.
Changing his tactics, he said to himself that, even if he had lost
this amount through M. de Chalusse's sudden death, it was much
less than he might obtain if he succeeded in discovering the
unknown heirs to so many millions.
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