"Can't do it now, Pop! Don't you see that I have got to read this purple
letter and that is all the business I can attend to for this morning?"
answered Mr. Vandeford, as he pushed a slim paper cutter along the top
edge of the purple missive.

"But, Mr. Vandeford, it is that I have--"

"Express. Sign here!" was the interruption that put an end to Mr.
Meyers's immediate supplication. The parcel that he deposited upon his
chief's desk with forceful meekness was a play manuscript.

"Great guns, Pops; I'm seeing purple!" exclaimed Mr. Vandeford, as he
let the violet letter fall upon the violet wrappings in which the
express intrusion was incased. "Exact match! This looks like some sort
of a hunch. Open it, Pops, and run through the layout while I tackle the
violet letter and see if anything happens." And with great interest both
grown men plunged into the excitement of the chase of the hunch.

Mr. Vandeford's letter contained the following, delivered in bold words
and script:

HIGHCLIFF.

_My dear Van:_

This is to remind you that it is now July fifth, and my contract
sets September twenty-third as the last date for my opening on
Broadway in a new play under your management. "The Rosie Posie
Girl" will be a huge undertaking and worthy of my every effort, but
I do not feel that you are up to producing it properly. I regret
your losses in "Miss Cut-up," but I did my best with a vehicle that
was not worthy of my ability. The success of "Dear Geraldine" was
entirely due to the comedy bits I wrote in to suit myself, and I
had to be costumer and producer and the whole show. In justice to
myself I feel that I ought to pass under the management of a more
forceful person than yourself. And anyway I don't think you would
be able to get a theater to open on Broadway in September. Remember
that over a hundred good shows died on the road waiting to get into
Broadway last winter, and _I_ won't play anywhere else. Now Weiner
wants to buy "The Rosie Posie Girl" from you and open his New
Carnival Theatre with me in it on October first. You must sell it
to him. He will make you a good offer. You can't use it without me,
and I want him to produce it. Please see him immediately. You know
that you owe your reputation as a producer to me, and don't be
selfish. I'll expect you up on the evenin