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"Two strong men together," said he, "need fear nothing."
I confess my only fear was lest the confounded revolver which swung
insecurely in my hip-pocket might go off of its own accord. I did not
mention this to my companion. He raised his hat, wiped his brow, and
rang the bell.
The door opened about six inches, and a man's dark-moustachioed face
appeared.
"_Vous desirez, Messieurs_?"
As I had not the remotest idea what we desired, I let Anastasius be
spokesman.
"Here is an English milord," said Anastasius boldly, "who would like to
be admitted for the evening to the privileges of the Club."
"Enter, gentlemen," said the man, who appeared to be the porter.
We found ourselves in a small vestibule. In front of us was a large
door, on the right a small one, both closed. At a table by the large
door sat a dirty, out-of-elbows raven of a man reading a newspaper. The
latter looked up and addressed me.
"You wish to enter the Club, Monsieur?"
I had no particular longing to do so, but I politely answered that such
was my desire.


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