ur telegram, sir, that I wasn't to send any letters on.
Gentlemen have called and I--'

'Indeed? Who has called?'

'Why, sir, on the day after you went--I dare say it was nine o'clock in
the evening, or a little later--someone came, wishing very much to see
you. He wouldn't give a name. I don't think it was a gentleman; it
seemed like somebody coming on business. He was very anxious to have
your address. Of course I didn't give it. I just said that any note he
liked to leave should be forwarded at once.'

'A dark man, with a beard? A working man?'

'No doubt the one you're thinking of, sir. He called again--let me see,
four or five days after.'

'Called again? Then it couldn't be the man I mean.'

He entered into a fuller description of Gilbert Grail. The landlady
identified the caller as Grail beyond all doubt.

'What day was it?'

'Why, sir, it 'ud be Wednesday; yes, Wednesday.'

'H'm! And you told him I had left Jersey?'

'Yes, sir. He said he knew that, and that--'

'Said he knew it?' repeated Egremont, astonished.

'Yes, sir, and that he wished to see if you had got home again.'

'Has he been since?'

'No, sir, but--I was coming in a night or two after, sir, and I saw him
standing on the opposite side of the way, looking at the house. He
hadn't called, however, and he didn't again.'

Egremont bent his eyes on the ground, and delayed a moment before
asking:

'Who else has been?'

'A gentleman; I don't know who it was. The servant went to the door. 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The landlady having withdrawn, he at once sat down to his desk and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. Do let me see you as
soon as possible. Of course you received my letter from Jersey? Shall I
come to you, or will you come here? I will stay in to-night. I send
this by a messenger, as I wish you to receive it immediately.'

The landlady had a son at home, a lad of sixteen. Having discovered
that the boy's services were available, Egremont gave him directions.
He was to take a cab and drive to the library in Brook Street. If he