The Milan Grill Room

263 pp. With the bland grace of a master among maitres d'hotel, Louis caters to the needs of his patrons. From his pulpit beside the door of the Grill Room in London's famed Milan Hotel he rules a small world of viands, vintages and hurrying waiters. Somewhat less ostentatiously he serves his adopted country in many a secret commission. These ten connected episodes, centering around the activities of the good Louis, are replete with adventure, intrigue, romance.