"search for mr. hyde" chapter 2 question

Utterson goes to see Lanyon to inquire about Mr. Hyde. As one of Jekyll's closest friends, he wants to see if the Lanyon can enlighten him or provide him with any information about the man set to inherit Jekyll's estate.

He gave his friend a few seconds to recover his composure, and then approached the question he had come to put. "Did you ever come across a protege of his—one Hyde?" he asked.

"Hyde?" repeated Lanyon. "No. Never heard of him. Since my time."