He said he only wished to know if you were in town or not.

He wouldn't leave a name.' Egremont's face changed to annoyance.

He did not care to pursue the subject.
'Let me have something to eat, please,' he said.
The landlady having withdrawn, he at once sat down to his desk and wrote a note.

It was to Grail, and ran in substance: 'I am just back from the Continent.

Am I right in thinking that it is you who have called here twice in my absence?
If so, your second call was at a time when I hoped you were out of London.