Final answer:
The story does not specify which particular book took the most time to read. However, legal texts are generally lengthy and detailed, which indicates that the reading time for such materials would be substantial. Probabilities point towards the total reading exceeding 1,050 pages because of the comprehensiveness of legal documents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lawyer in The Bet reads numerous books over a four-year span, and the text suggests that some books may have taken him longer to read than others. The text does not specify which book took him the most time.
However, given the context provided, if a book were particularly comprehensive or dense in material, such as legal texts or a detailed account of multiple lawsuits, this could contribute to a longer reading time. Moreover, the careful scrutiny described in the excerpt, involving looking at every leaf and applying a microscope, suggests a meticulous approach which could also be time-consuming. Additionally, complex sections of books are often read multiple times to absorb the arguments fully.
When considering the student's question about the likelihood of the professor needing to read more than 1,050 pages, given the mention of reading 600 volumes and legal documents of considerable length, it seems highly probable that the page count would exceed 1,050 pages. Legal books are commonly extensive, and the focused account mentioned could refer to a book that's comprehensive enough to warrant being divided into three volumes for efficiency. This indicates that the books the lawyer is reading are indeed lengthy and detailed.