CHAPTER I.
THE GRAY SEAL Among New York's fashionable and ultra-exclusive clubs, the St.James stood an acknowledged leader--more men, perhaps, cast an envious eye at its portals, of modest and unassuming taste, as they passed by on Fifth Avenue, than they did at any other club upon the long list that the city boasts.

True, there were more expensive clubs upon whose membership roll scintillated more stars of New York's social set, but the St.James was distinctive.

It guaranteed a man, so to speak--that is, it guaranteed a man to be innately a gentleman.

It required money, it is true, to keep up one's membership, but there were many members who were not wealthy, as wealth is measured nowadays--there were many, even, who were pressed sometimes to meet their dues and their house accounts, but the accounts were invariably promptly paid.

No man, once in, could ever afford, or ever had the desire, to resign from the St.James Club.