Page:Christopher Morley--Tales from a rolltop desk.djvu/199

Rh now, and could not possibly undertake the work for some weeks. I have been retained in an advisory capacity by a big Western syndicate which was badly in need of some circulation-building; and until I can put their paper up to a half-million figure I have not much spare time. Their paper has gone up a couple of hundred thousand since I mapped out a campaign for them, but I would not feel justified in discontinuing my services to them until these gains are properly consolidated. I will be in my office at ten o'clock next Tuesday morning if you care to see me. Very truly yours."

Mr. Birdlip was hidden behind his paper, but something in the angle at which the sheets were held led Sanford to believe that the old gentleman was listening.

"Very well, Edwards," he said. "What's next?"

"Here's this letter from Lord Southpeak of the London Gazette asking if he can see you when he comes over next month."

"Cable Southpeak I shall be very happy to see him if he gets here before the fifteenth. I am going on my vacation then."

The attentive Edwards scribbled rapidly in his notebook.