This friendly talk ended in Captain Paget's complete victory. M. Fleurus consented to accept his costs out of pocket in the present, and three per cent, of the heritage in the future. It was further agreed that the Captain should select the English attorney who should conduct M. Lenoble's case in the Court of Chancery. This conversation occurred at Rouen, and a day or two afterwards the necessary document was drawn up. Gustave pledged himself to pay over a fourth share of the Haygarthian fortune to Horatio Paget, and three per cent, upon the whole amount to Jean Francois Fleurus. The document was very formal, very complete; but whether such an agreement would hold water, if Gustave Lenoble should choose to contest it, was open to question. The solicitor to whom Horatio Paget introduced M. Lenoble was a Mr. Dashwood, of the firm of Dashwood and Vernon; a man whom the Captain had known in the past, and from whom he had received good service in some of the most difficult crises of his difficult career. To this gentleman he confided the conduct of the case; and explained his apprehensions with regard to the two Sheldons. "You see, as the case now stands, they think they have the claimant to this money in Miss Halliday--Sheldon's stepdaughter. But if they got an inkling of Susan Meynell's marriage--and, in point of fact--the actual state of the case--they might try to get hold of my friend, Gustave Lenoble. They could _not_ get hold of him, mind you, Dashwood, but they would try it on, and I don't want trying on of that kind." "Of course not. I know Sheldon, of Gray's Inn. He is rather--well, say _shady_. That's hardly an actionable epithet, and it expresses what I mean. Your friend's case seems to me tolerably clear. That little Frenchman is useful, but officious. It is not a speculative affair, I suppose? There is money to meet the current expenses of the business?" "Yes, there is money. Within reasonable limits my friend is prepared to pay for the advancement of his claims." After this the Haygarthian business progressed, slowly, quietly. The work was up to this point underground work. There were still papers wanting--final links of the chain to be fitted together; and to the fitting of these links Messrs. Dashwood and Vernon devoted themselves, in conjunction with M. Fleurus. This was how matters stood when Captain Paget drooped and languished, and was fain to abandon all active share in the struggle. CHAPTER II. FADING.