"I have thought of that, and, when I left you, I sent the following telegram:"
Here he produced a duplicate form from his pocket and read it aloud:
"To the Lessee Olympic Theatre, Manchester:
"What dates this month? Reply terms, Stragaus, West Strand Telegraph Office.
"Maximillien Stragaus."
"But who on earth is Maximillien Stragaus, and what has the Royal Olympic Theatre, Manchester, to do with our scheme?"
"Everything. In the first place you must realise the fact that I am Maximillien Stragaus, the world-renowned theatrical entrepreneur, and that you are his secretary, Fairlight Longsman. Having received a reply from Manchester, I decide to open there with my wonderful and intensely exciting prison drama, 'Saved by a Woman's Pluck,' on the third Saturday in June. Here is the preliminary announcement. I had it struck off this afternoon."
He took from the small bag he had brought into the room with him a large theatrical poster, covered with printing of all colours of the rainbow. It read as follows:
ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE,
MANCHESTER.
Lessee,Mr. William Carrickford.