E. Helly's theorem asserts that any bounded sequence of monotone real funct
ions contains a pointwise convergent subsequence. We reprove this theorem i
n a generalized version in terms of monotone functions on linearly ordered
sets. We show that the cardinal number responsible for this generalization
is exactly the splitting number. We also show that a positive answer to a p
roblem of S. Saks is obtained under the assumption of the splitting number
being strictly greater than the first uncountable cardinal.