Outwardly the Professor might have mentioned the last commonplace murder.

Only his eyelids lifted a little as he replied: "Ah, indeed?
Well, really, Professor, you must forgive me for saying that that is about the very last matter I should have expected you to have brought up.

All the world knows you as one of its most distinguished men of science, now, of course, more distinguished than ever; but I hardly think any one would have expected you to interest yourself in political mysteries.

I have a recollection of hearing or reading somewhere that politics were your pet aversion." "So they are," replied Franklin Marmion, with a short laugh.

"I consider ordinary politics--juggling with phrases to delude the ignorance and flatter the prejudices of the mob, and bartering principles for place and power--to be about the most contemptible vocation a man can descend to, but those are low politics in more senses than one.