The gymnasium itself was a source of immense surprise to both Francis and Wilmore.

It stretched along the entire top storey of a long block of buildings, and was elaborately fitted with bathrooms, a restaurant and a reading-room.

The trapezes, bars, and all the usual appointments were of the best possible quality.

The manager, a powerful-looking man dressed with the precision of the prosperous city magnate, came out of his office to greet them.
"What can I do for you, gentlemen ?" he enquired.
"First of all," Francis replied, "accept our heartiest congratulations upon your wonderful gymnasium." The man bowed.
"It is the best appointed in the country, sir," he said proudly.
"Absolutely no expense has been spared in fitting it up.

Every one of our appliances is of the latest possible description, and our bathrooms are an exact copy of those in a famous Philadelphia club." "What is the subscription ?" Wilmore asked.
"Five shillings a year." "And how many members ?" "Two thousand." The manager smiled as he saw his two visitors exchange puzzled glances.
"Needless to say, sir," he added, "we are not self-supporting.