"Your friend, I suppose, is not in just now ?" "No; and he will not be returning until the evening." "Hm; I'm sorry.

We wished to see him rather particularly.

This is my partner, Mr.Winwood." The latter gentleman bowed stiffly and Marchmont continued: "We have had a letter from Dr.Thorndyke, and it is, I may say, a rather curious letter; in fact, a very singular letter indeed." "It is the letter of a madman!" growled Mr.Winwood.
"No, no, Winwood; nothing of the kind.

Control yourself, I beg you.

But really, the letter is rather incomprehensible.