"I do not think I can tell you that," he said.
"It contains, I suppose, many curious things ?" "Curious ?" Basterga replied impulsively, "I should say so! Why, it was in that volume I found----" And there in apparent confusion he broke off.

He laughed awkwardly, and then, "Well, you know," he resumed, "we students find many things interest us which would fail to touch the man of affairs".

As if he wished to change the subject, he took the manuscript from the Syndic's hand and threw it carelessly on the table.
Messer Blondel thought the carelessness overdone, and, his interest aroused, he followed the manuscript, he scarcely knew why, with his eyes.

"I think I have heard the name of Averroes ?" he said.

"Was he not a physician ?" "He was many things," Basterga answered negligently.