# Phase I: The Scandal explained — Call Mr. Fortune

> Chapter companion for Call Mr. Fortune by H. C. Bailey.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se/chapters/phase-i-the-scandal
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/call_mr_fortune_se/chapters