You want an heir-at-law, and I'm to look for him.

What am I to get while I'm looking for him?
and what is to be my reward if I find him ?" "I'll give you a pound a week and your travelling expenses while you're employed in the search; and I'll give you three thousand pounds on the day the heir gets his rights." "Humph!" muttered Mr.Hawkehurst, rather doubtfully; "three thousand pounds is a very respectable haul.

But then, you see, I may fail to discover the heir; and even if I do find him the chances are ten to one that the business would be thrown into Chancery at the last moment; in which case I might wait till doomsday for the reward of my labours." George Sheldon shrugged his shoulders impatiently.

He had expected this penniless adventurer to catch eagerly at the chance he offered.

"Three thousand pounds are not to be picked up in the streets," he said.