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.
"If you will give your visiting-card, I will submit it to the Secretariat." I produced my card; Anastasius thrust a pencil into my hand.
"Write my name on it, too." I obeyed.