No thinking man to-day is a stranger to Mr.
Maraton in any other way." "You are very kind," Maraton replied.

"What can I do for you ?" Beldeman glanced towards the door so as to be sure that it was closed.
"Mr.Maraton," he enquired, "are you a bad-tempered man ?" "At times," Maraton admitted.
"I regret to see," his visitor proceeded, "that you are a man of superior physique to mine.

I am here to make you an offer which you may consider an insult.

If you are a narrow, ordinary Englishman, obstinate, with cast-iron principles and the usual prejudices, you will probably try to throw me down-stairs.

It is part of my living to run the risk of being thrown down-stairs." "I will do my best," Maraton promised him, "to restrain myself.