while riley was working on his book, he was unexpectedly invited by james b. pond, the agent for many of the nation's major performers, to join a one-hundred nights' engagement in new york city in a show that included samuel clemens and dudley warner. riley was unable to agree with the redpath bureau who had to authorize any other performance under the terms of their contract. he believed his contract with the redpath bureau was limiting his opportunities, and his relationship with his agent became strained.