His official duties had taken him at one time to Yokohama and Tokio and at another to Bagdad, and while at those places he gave a good deal of attention to the languages, literature and arts of the countries.

He was also greatly interested in Babylonian and Assyrian archaeology, and I believe he assisted for some time in the excavations at Birs Nimroud." "Indeed!" said Thorndyke.

"This is very interesting.

I had no idea that he was a man of such considerable attainments.

The facts mentioned by Mr.Marchmont would hardly have led one to think of him as what he seems to have been: a scholar of some distinction." "I don't know that Mr.Marchmont realized the fact himself," said Stephen; "or that he would have considered it of any moment if he had.
Nor, as far as that goes, do I.But, of course, I have no experience of legal matters." "You can never tell beforehand," said Thorndyke, "what facts may turn out to be of moment, so that it is best to collect all you can get.