Asimov's Foundation

He remained thoughtfully silent during the rest of the slow way to Cyclopedia Square.

  "under the direct control of the Emperor." There was a faint emphasis upon the last phrase that seemed to disconcert the sub-prefect.

  "We're all scholars more or less. After all, we're not so much a world as a scientific foundation – under the direct control of the Emperor."

  "Why, certainly," replied Hardin, amiably.