take it. I don't want to appear disloyal to my
grandfather, but I think that even he would advise me to accept. Yes,
you may write Mr. Jones that I accept the chance."

The attorneys complimented him on his nerve, and wished him success.
Brewster turned with a smile.

"I'll begin by asking what you think a reasonable fee for an attorney
in a case of this kind. I hope you will act for me."

"You don't want to spend it all in a lump, do you?" asked Mr. Grant,
smiling. "We can hardly act as counsel for both you and Mr. Jones."

"But I must have a lawyer, and the will limits the number of my
confidants. What am I to do?"

"We will consult Mr. Jones in regard to the question. It is not
regular, you see, but I apprehend no legal difficulties. We cannot
accept fees from both sides, however," said Mr. Grant.

"But I want attorneys who are willing to help me. It won't be a help if
you decline to accept my money."

"We'll resort to arbitration," laughed Ripley.

Before night Montgomery Brewster began a career that would have
startled the world had the facts been known. With true loyalty to the
"Little Sons of the Rich," he asked his friends to dinner and opened
their eyes.

"Champagne!" cried Harrison, as they were seated at table. "I can't
remember the last time I had champagne."

"Naturally," laughed "Subway" Smith. "You couldn't remember anything
after that."

As the dinner progressed Brewster explained that he intended to double
his fortune within a year. "I'm going to have some fun, too," he said,
"and you boys are to help me."

"Nopper" Harrison was employed as "superintendent of affairs"; Elon
Gardner as financial secretary; Joe Bragdon as private secretary;
"Subway" Smith as counsel, and there were places in view for the other
members.

"I want the smartest apartment you can find, Nopper," he commanded.
"Don't stop at expense. Have Pettingill redecorate it from top to
bottom, Get the best servants you can find. I'm going to live, Nopper,
and hang the consequences."

CHAPTER VI

MONTY CRISTO

A fortnight later Montgomery Brewster had a new home. In strict
obedience to his chief's command, "Nopper" Harrison had leased until
the September following one of the most expensive apartments to be
found in New York City. The rental was $23,000, and the shrewd
financial representative had saved $1,000 for his employer by paying
the sum in advance. But when he reported this bit of economy to Mr.
Brewste