He went over his bill of complaint with Mr. Hasbrook, and he was glad to see that the work he had done made its impression upon him. In fact, his client was a little afraid that some of his arguments might be too radical in tone—from the strictly legal point of view, he made haste to explain. But Montague reassured him upon this point. And then came the day when the great ship was ready for launching. The news must have spread quickly, for a few hours after the papers in the suit had been filed, Montague received a call from a newspaper reporter, who told him of the excitement in financial circles, where the thing had fallen like a bomb. Montague explained the purpose of the suit, and gave the reporter a number of facts which he felt certain would attract attention to the matter. When he picked up the paper the next morning, however, he was surprised to find that only a few lines had been given to the case, and that his interview had been replaced by one with an unnamed official of the Fidelity, to the effect that the attack upon the company was obviously for black-mailing purposes. That was the only ripple which Montague’s work produced upon the surface of the pool; but there was a great commotion among the fish at the bottom, about which he was soon to learn. That evening, while he was hard at work in his study, he received a telephone call from his brother. “I’m coming round to see you,” said Oliver. “Wait for me.” “All right,” said the other, and added, “I thought you were dining at the Wallings’.” “I’m there now,” was the answer. “I’m leaving.” “What is the matter?” Montague asked. “There’s hell to pay,” was the reply—and then silence. When Oliver appeared, a few minutes later, he did not even stop to set down his hat, but exclaimed, “Allan, what in heaven’s name have you been doing?” “What do you mean?” asked the other. “Why, that suit!” “What about it?” “Good God, man!” cried Oliver. “Do you mean that you really don’t know what you’ve done?” Montague was staring at him. “I’m afraid I don’t,” said he. “Why, you’re turning the world upside down!” exclaimed the other. “Everybody you know is crazy about it.” “Everybody I know!” echoed Montague. “What have they to do with it?” “Why, you’ve stabbed them in the back!” half shouted Oliver. “I could hardly believe my ears when they told me. Robbie Walling is simply wild—I never had such a time in my life.” “I don’t understand yet,” said Montague, more and more amazed. “What has he to do with it?” “Why, man,” cried Oliver, “his brother’s a director in the Fidelity! And his own interests—and all the other companies! You’ve struck at the whole insurance business!” Montague caught his breath. “Oh, I see!” he said. “How could you think of such a thing?” cried the other, wildly. “You promised to consult me about things—” “I told you when I took this case,” put in Montague, quickly.