Call Mr. Fortune · Chapter
Phase I: The Scandal explained
Reggie Fortune returns from Spain to a blizzard in London and is immediately drawn into a political scandal by his friend Lomas.
What happens
Reggie Fortune returns from Spain to a blizzard in London and is immediately drawn into a political scandal by his friend Lomas. The Great Coal Ramp involves insider trading based on leaked government plans to nationalize coal mines. Only the President of the Board of Trade, Horace Kimball, and his private secretary, Sandford, knew the details, leading to suspicion falling on Sandford. Lomas is under pressure to find a culprit but lacks solid evidence.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it delivers the emotional and psychological peak of shock and dread, shatt…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Class and Society
The scandal involves politicians, civil servants, and businessmen, highlighting the interplay of power and class in government and finance.
- Crime and Morality
The insider trading scandal raises questions of morality and legality, with Lomas struggling to find a culprit despite political pressure.
- The Absurdity of Specialization
Fortune, a specialist in 'passion and gore,' is called upon to help with a financial-political case, highlighting the absurdity of narrow expertise.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Reginald Fortune
Returns from Spain to a blizzard, complains about the weather, and is drawn into the Coal Ramp scandal by Lomas.
- Mr. Lomas
Visits Fortune at home, distressed by the political pressure over the Coal Ramp scandal, considers resigning.
- Horace Kimball
President of the Board of Trade, a wealthy businessman brought into the government, suspected of leaking the nationalization plan but considered honest by Lomas.
- Secretary Sandford
Kimball's private secretary, the prime suspect in the leak due to his access to the secret plan and his friendship with a stockbroker.
Key passages
“Politics is a cursed profession.”
Fortune remarks that politics is a corrupting field.
Fortune's cynical view of politics is expressed in response to the scandal.
“Find us someone to hang or we'll hang you?”
Fortune suggests the government wants a scapegoat and threatens Lomas if he cannot provide one.
Highlights the pressure on Lomas to find a culprit.
