Fix does not at all understand what is said to him.
TheRangoon, one of the P. and O. Company's vessels, plying between India, China, and Japan, was an iron screw steamer of about one thousand seven hundred and seventy tons, with engines of four hundred horse-power. She was as fast but not so comfortable as theMongolia, and Mrs. Aouda was scarcely as well accommodated as Phileas Fogg would have wished. But as the voyage was only three thousand five hundred miles, that is to say eleven or twelve days' steaming, and the young lady was not difficult to please, it was no great matter.
During the first portion of the voyage she became well acquainted with Phileas Fogg, and gave expression to her great gratitude on every occasion. That phlegmatic gentleman listened to her protestations with the most unmoved exterior, not an expression, not a movement evidenced the slightest emotion; but he took care that the young lady should want for nothing. He saw her at certain hours every day, if not to talk, at least to listen to her conversation; he exhibited towards her the greatest politeness, but the politeness of an automaton. Mrs. Aouda did not know what to think of him, though Passe-partout had given her a few hints about his eccentric master, and had told her of the wager about going round the world. Mrs. Aouda had rather ridiculed the idea, but after all did she not owe him her life? And Mr. Fogg would not lose by being regarded through the glasses of gratitude.
Mrs. Aouda confirmed the Parsee guide's explanation of her past history. She was, in fact, of the highest native caste.
Many Parsee merchants had made great fortunes in cotton in India. One of them, Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, has been made a baronet by the English Government, and Mrs. Aouda was connected with this personage, who was then living in Bombay. It was a cousin of his whom she hoped to join at Hong Kong, and with whom she trusted to find protection. She could not say whether she would be received or not; but Mr. Fogg told her not to trouble herself, as all would come mathematically square. These were the words he used. It was uncertain whether the young lady quite understood him. She fixed her great eyes—"those eyes as limpid as the sacred lakes of the Himalayas"—upon him; but Mr. Fogg was as impassive as ever, and did not show any disposition to throw himself into those lakes.
The first portion of the voyage passed very pleasantly. Everything was favourable. TheRangoonsoon sighted the great Andaman, with its picturesque mountain called Saddle Peak, two thousand four hundred feet high, a landmark for all sailors. They skirted the coast, but they saw none of the inhabitants. The appearance of the islands was magnificent. Immense forests of palm, teak, and gigantic mimosas (tree-ferns), covered the foreground of the landscape, while at the back rose the undulating profile of the hills. The cliffs swarmed with that species of swallows which build the edible nests so prized in China.
But the islands were soon passed, and theRangoonrapidly steamed towards the Straits of Malacca, which give access to the Chinese Sea.
Now what is Fix doing all this time? Having left instructions for the transmission of the warrant to Hong Kong, he had embarked on board theRangoonwithout being perceived by Passe-partout, and was in hopes to be able to keep out of sight until the steamer should have reached her destination. In fact, it would be difficult to explain his presence on board without awakening the suspicions of Passe-partout, who thought him in Bombay. But fate obliged him to resume acquaintance with the lad, as we shall see later.
All the aspirations and hopes of the detective were now centred in Hong Kong, for the steamer would not stop at Singapore long enough for him to do anything there. It was at Hong Kong that the arrest must be made, or the thief would escape, and, so to speak, for ever.
Hong Kong, in fact, was English territory, but the last British territory which they would see on the route. Beyond that, China, Japan, and America would offer an almost secure asylum to Mr. Fogg. If they should find the warrant of arrest at Hong Kong, Fix could hand Fogg over to the local police, and have done with him. But after leaving the island a simple warrant would not be sufficient; a warrant of extradition would be necessary, which would give rise to delays of all kinds, and of which the criminal might take advantage and escape; so if he did not arrest him at Hong Kong, he might give up the idea altogether.
"Now," said Fix to himself, "either the warrant will be at Hong Kong, and I shall arrest my man, or it will not be there; and this time I must delay his departure at any cost. I have failed both at Bombay and Calcutta, and if I make a mess of it at Hong Kong, my reputation is gone. I must succeed, at any cost; but what means shall I adopt to stop him if the worst comes to the worst?"
Fix then, as a last resource, made up his mind to tell Passe-partout everything, and what sort of a man his master was, for he was not his accomplice evidently. Passe-partout would no doubt under those circumstances assist him (Fix). But in any case this was a dangerous expedient, and one not to be employed except under pressure. A hint from Passe-partout to his master would upset the whole thing at once.
The detective, therefore, was very much embarrassed, and the presence of Mrs. Aouda on board gave him more food for thought. Who was this woman? and how did it happen that she was in Fogg's society? They must have met between Bombay and Calcutta, but at what place? Was it by chance, or had he purposely gone to seek this charming woman? for she was charming no doubt—Fix had seen as much in the court at Calcutta.
He was puzzled, and began to think that perhaps there had been an elopement. He was certain of it. This idea now took complete possession of Fix, and he began to think what advantage he could gain from the circumstance: whether the young lady was married or not, there was still the elopement; and he might make it so unpleasant for Mr. Fogg at Hong Kong that he would not be able to get away by paying money.
But theRangoonhad to get to Hong Kong first, and could he wait? for Fogg had an unpleasant habit of jumping from one steamer to another, and might be far away before anything had been settled. The thing to do, therefore, was to give notice to the English authorities, and to signal theRangoonbefore she arrived. This was not difficult, as the steamer stopped at Singapore, and he could telegraph thence to Hong Kong.
In any case, before taking decisive action, he determined to questionPasse-partout. He knew it was not difficult to make the lad talk, andFix decided to make himself known. There was no time to lose, for thesteamer would reach Singapore the following day.
That afternoon, therefore. Fix left his cabin, and seeingPasse-partout on deck, the detective rushed towards him, exclaiming:
"What, you on board theRangoon?"
"Mr. Fix, is it really you?" said Passe-partout, as he recognised his fellow voyager of theMongolia. "Why, I left you at Bombay, and here you are on the way to Hong Kong. Are you also going round the world?"
"No," replied Fix, "I think of stopping at Hong Kong for a few days, at any rate."
"Ah!" said Passe-partout, "but how is it I have not seen you on board since we left Calcutta?"
"The fact is I have not been very well, and obliged to stay below. The Bay of Bengal does not suit me as well as the Indian Ocean. And how is your master, Mr. Phileas Fogg?"
"Oh, quite well, and as punctual to his time as ever; but Mr. Fix, you do not know that we have got a young lady with us."
"A young lady?" repeated the detective, who pretended not to understand what was said.
Passe-partout nodded, and immediately proceeded to give him the history of the business at the pagoda, the purchase of the elephant, the suttee, the rescue of Aouda, the judgment of the Calcutta court, and their release on bail. Fix, who was quite familiar with the last incidents, pretended to be ignorant of all, and Passe-partout was quite delighted to have such an interested listener.
"But," said Fix, when his companion had ceased, "does your master wish to carry this young lady to Europe?"
"By no means, Mr. Fix, by no means. We are simply going to Hong Kong, to place her under the care of a relative of hers, a rich merchant there."
"Nothing to be done on that line," said the detective to himself, as he concealed his disappointment. "Come and have a glass of gin, monsieur."
"With all my heart, Mr. Fix; the least we can do is to have a friendly glass to our meeting on board theRangoon."
What happened on the Voyage between Singapore and Hong Kong.
After that, Passe-partout and the detective met frequently, but the latter was very reserved and did not attempt to pump his companion respecting Mr. Fogg. He only encountered that gentleman once or twice, for he kept very much in the cabin, attending on Mrs. Aouda, or engaged in a game of whist.
As for Passe-partout, he began to meditate very seriously upon the curious chance which had brought Mr. Fix once again on his master's track, and it certainly was somewhat astonishing. How was it that this amiable, good-natured gentleman, whom they had met first at Suez, and on board theMongolia, who had landed at Bombay, where he said he was going to remain, was now on board theRangoonbound for Hong Kong, and, in a word, following Mr. Fogg step by step—that was the question? It certainly was a most extraordinary coincidence, and what did Fix want? Passe-partout was ready to wager his Indian shoes, which all this time he had carefully preserved, that this man Fix would leave Hong Kong with them, and probably on board the same steamer.
If Passe-partout had worried his head for a hundred years, he never would have hit upon the real object of the detective. It would never have occurred to him that Phileas Fogg was being tracked round the globe for a robbery. But as it is only human nature to find some explanation for everything, this is how Passe-partout interpreted Fix's unremitting attention, and after all it was not an unreasonable conclusion to arrive at. In fact, he made up his mind that Fix was an agent sent after Mr. Fogg by the members of the Reform Club, to see that the conditions of the wager were properly carried out.
"That's it," repeated Passe-partout to himself, very proud of his shrewdness. "He is a spy these gentlemen have sent out. It is scarcely a gentlemanly thing to do, Mr. Fogg is so honourable and straightforward. Fancy sending a spy after us! Ah, gentlemen of the Reform Club, this shall cost you dearly."
Passe-partout, quite delighted with the discovery, determined to say nothing to his master on the subject, lest he should be very justly offended at his opponents' distrust, but he determined to chaff Fix at every opportunity without betraying himself.
On Wednesday, the 30th of October, theRangoonentered the Straits of Malacca, which separate that peninsula from Sumatra, and at four o'clock the next morning theRangoon, having gained half a day in advance of time, anchored at Singapore to coal.
Phileas Fogg having noted the gain in his book, went ashore accompanied by Mrs. Aouda, who expressed a wish to land for a few hours.
Fix, who was very suspicious of Fogg's movements, followed without being noticed; and Passe-partout, who was secretly amused at the detective's manoeuvres, went about his usual business.
The island of Singapore, though not grand or imposing, still has its peculiar beauties. It is a park traversed by pleasant roads. A well-appointed carriage took Phileas Fogg and Aouda through palm-groves and clove-plantations, various tropical plants perfumed the air, while troops of monkeys gambolled in the trees; the woods, also, were not innocent of tigers, and to those travellers who were astonished to learn why these terrible animals were not destroyed in such a small island, the reply would be that they swam across from the mainland.
After a couple of hours' drive, Mr. Fogg and Aouda returned to the town and went on board ship again, all the time followed by the detective. Passe-partout was awaiting them on deck; the brave fellow had purchased some beautiful mangoes, and was enabled to offer them to Mrs. Aouda, who received them gracefully.
At eleven o'clock theRangoonresumed her voyage and a few hours later Malacca had sunk below the horizon. They had about thirteen hundred miles to traverse to reach Hong Kong, and Phileas Fogg hoped to get there in six days, so as to be able to catch the steamer for Yokohama on the 6th of November.
The weather, which had hitherto been very fine, changed with the last quarter of the moon. There was a high wind, fortunately favourable, and a very heavy sea.
The captain set the sails at every opportunity, and theRangoon, under these circumstances, made rapid progress. But in very rough weather extra precautions were necessary, and steam had to be reduced. This delay did not appear to affect Phileas Fogg in the least, but it worried Passe-partout tremendously. He swore at the captain, the engineers, and the company, and consigned all concerned to a warmer climate than Hong Kong. Perhaps the thought of the gas that was still burning in his room in London may have had something to do with his impatience.
"You seem in a great hurry to reach Hong Kong," said Fix to him one day.
"I am," replied Passe-partout. "You think Mr. Fogg is anxious to catch the steamer for Yokohama?"
"Very anxious indeed."
"You believe in this journey round the world, then?"
"Most decidedly; don't you?"
"Not a bit of it."
"You are a sly one," replied Passe-partout with a wink.
This remark rather disturbed Fix, without his knowing why. Could the Frenchman have discovered who he was? He did not know what to do. But how could Passe-partout have found out his real object? And yet in speaking as he did, Passe-partout must certainly have had some ulterior motive.
On a subsequent occasion the valet went still further, and said, half maliciously:
"Well, Mr. Fix, shall we be so unfortunate as to lose the pleasure of your society at Hong Kong?"
"Well," replied Fix, somewhat embarrassed, "I am not quite sure. You see—"
"Ah," said Passe-partout, "if you would only come with us I should beso delighted. An agent of the company cannot stop halfway, you know.You were only going to Bombay, and here you are almost in China.America is not far off, and from America to Europe is but a step."
Fix looked very hard at his companion, whose face was perfectly innocent, and laughed too. But Passe-partout was in the humour for quizzing, and asked him if he made much by his present business.
"Yes and no," replied Fix, without flinching. "We have our good and bad times, but of course I do not travel at my own expense."
"Of that I am quite sure," said Passe-partout, laughing.
Fix then returned to his cabin, where he remained deep in thought. Somehow or another the Frenchman had found him out, but had he told his master? Was he his accomplice or not? And must the whole thing be given up? The detective passed many hours considering the matter in all its bearings, and was as undecided at the end as he had been at the beginning.
But he retained his presence of mind, and resolved at length to deal frankly with Passe-partout, if he could not arrest Fogg at Hong Kong. Either the servant was an accomplice, knowing everything, and he would fail; or the servant knew nothing, and then his interest would be to quit the service of the criminal.
Such was the state of affairs, and meantime Phileas Fogg appeared perfectly indifferent to everything. But nevertheless there was a disturbing cause not far off, which might be able to produce an influence on his heart; but no, Mrs. Aouda's charms had no effect, to the great surprise of Passe-partout.
Yes, it certainly was a matter of astonishment to that worthy man, who every day read the lady's gratitude to his master in Mrs. Aouda's eyes. Phileas Fogg must certainly be heartless; brave he was no doubt, but sympathetic, no. There was no proof that the incidents of the journey had wakened any feelings in his breast, while Passe-partout was continually indulging in reverie.
One day he was contemplating the working of the machinery, when a pitch of the vessel threw the screw out of the water. The steam roared through the valves, and Passe-partout exclaimed, indignantly: "The escape valves are not sufficiently charged! We make no way! That is English all over. Ah! if this were only an American ship—we might blow up, perhaps, but at any rate we should go quicker meantime."
In which Phileas Fogg, Passe-partout, and Fix severally go each about his own business.
During the latter part of the voyage the weather was very bad; the wind was blowing freshly—almost a gale—right in the teeth of theRangoon, which rolled considerably, and disturbed the passengers very much.
In fact, on the 3rd and 4th of November there was quite a tempest, and theRangoonwas obliged to proceed slowly. All the sails were furled, and the captain was of opinion that they would be twenty hours late at Hong Kong, or perhaps more, if the storm lasted.
Phileas Fogg gazed at the turbulent sea as coolly as ever; he betrayed no impatience, even though twenty hours' delay would upset his calculations, by causing him to lose the Yokohama steamer. It seemed almost as if the storm were part of his programme, and Mrs. Aouda, who sympathised with him, was surprised to find him quite unmoved.
But Fix did not look upon these things with unconcern; he was very glad that the storm had happened, and would have been delighted if theRangoonhad been obliged to scud before the tempest. All these delays were in his favour, because they tended towards detaining Mr. Fogg at Hong Kong; he did not mind the sea-sickness he suffered, and while his body was tortured, his spirit was exultant.
But Passe-partout was very much annoyed by this bad weather. All had gone well till now. Everything had appeared to favour his master, hitherto. Steamers and railways obeyed him; wind and steam had united to assist him. Was it possible that the hour of misfortune had struck? Passe-partout felt as if the wager of twenty thousand pounds was to come out of his own purse. The storm exasperated him, the wind made him furious, and he would liked to have whipped this disobedient sea. Poor fellow! Fix all the time carefully concealed his personal satisfaction, for had Passe-partout perceived it, Fix would have had a bad time.
Passe-partout remained on deck as long as the storm lasted, for it was quite impossible for him to go down below. He assisted the crew in every way in his power, and astonished the sailors by his activity. He questioned the captain, the officers, and the men hundreds of times as to their progress, and got laughed at for his pains. He wanted to know how long the tempest would last, and was referred to the barometer, which had evidently not made up its mind to rise; even when Passe-partout shook it, it would not change its mind.
At last the storm subsided, and the wind veered round to the south, which was in their favour. Passe-partout regained his serenity as the weather improved. Sails were once more set on theRangoonand she resumed her route at great speed, but she could not make up for lost time. It could not be helped, however, and land was not signalled till five o'clock on the morning of the 6th of November. The itinerary of Phileas Fogg showed that they ought to have arrived the day before, so they were twenty-four hours behindhand, and the Yokohama steamer would be missed.
At six o'clock the pilot came on board. Passe-partout longed to ask the man if the Yokohama steamer had sailed, but he preferred to nurse his hopes till the last moment. He had confided his troubles to Fix, who, sly fellow as he was, pretended to sympathise with him, and told him he would be in time if his master took the next steamer, a remark which put Passe-partout into a violent rage.
But if he did not like to ask the pilot, Mr. Fogg, having consulted his Bradshaw, did not hesitate to inquire when the steamer left for Yokohama.
"To-morrow, at the morning's flood-tide," replied the pilot.
"Ah, indeed," said Mr. Fogg, without manifesting any emotion.
Passe-partout could have embraced the pilot for this information, while Fix would gladly have twisted his neck.
"What is the name of the steamer?" asked Mr. Fogg.
"TheCarnatic," replied the pilot.
"Ought she not to have sailed yesterday?"
"Yes; but one of her boilers required repairing, so she will not start till to-morrow."
"Thank you," replied Mr. Fogg, as he descended quietly to the cabin.
Passe-partout wrung the pilot's hand, exclaiming, "Well, you are a good fellow."
Probably to this day the pilot has not the slightest idea of what Passe-partout was driving at. He merely whistled, and went back to his station on the bridge to guide the steamer through a flotilla of junks, tankas, and fishing-boats, and a crowd of other vessels which encumbered the waters of Hong Kong.
At one o'clock the steamer was alongside the quay, and the passengers went ashore.
On this occasion it must be confessed that fortune had singularly favoured Phileas Fogg. But for the necessary repairs to her boilers, theCarnaticwould have sailed on the 5th, and the travellers bound for Japan would have been obliged to wait for eight days for the next steamer. Mr. Fogg, it is true, was twenty-four hours behindhand, but this would not seriously affect his journey.
In fact, the steamer which plied from Yokohama to San Francisco was connected with the Hong Kong boat, and would not start till the arrival of the latter; so, if he were twenty-four hours late at Yokohama, he would make it up in crossing the Pacific. At present, however, Phileas Fogg found himself twenty-four hours late during the thirty-five days since he quitted London.
TheCarnaticwould sail the next morning at five o'clock, so Mr. Fogg had still sixteen hours to devote to Mrs. Aouda. He landed with the young lady upon his arm, and conducted her to the Club-house Hotel, where apartments were engaged for her accommodation. Mr. Fogg then went in search of her relatives, telling Passe-partout to remain until his return, so that the young lady might not feel herself quite alone.
Mr. Fogg made his way to the exchange, for he rightly conjectured that such a rich man as Jejeeb would be most likely heard of in that direction.
The broker to whom Mr. Fogg addressed himself knew the man for whom he was inquiring, but he had left China two years before, and gone to live in Holland, he thought; for he had principally traded with Dutch merchants.
Phileas Fogg returned to the hotel, and informed Mrs. Aouda that her cousin had left Hong Kong, and had gone to live in Holland.
Mrs. Aouda made no reply for a moment; she passed her hand across her brow, and appeared lost in thought. At length, in a gentle voice, she said, "What ought I to do, Mr. Fogg?"
"Your course is simple enough," he replied; "come on to Europe."
"But I cannot intrude upon you."
"You do not intrude in the least. Passe-partout."
"Sir."
"Go to theCarnaticand secure three berths."
Passe-partout was delighted to think that the young lady was going to continue her journey with them, for she had been very kind to him. He accordingly quitted the hotel to execute his master's orders cheerfully.
Showing how Passe-partout took too great an interest in his Master, and what came of it.
Hong Kong is only an island, which fell into the possession of the English by the Treaty of Nankin, in 1843. In a few years the colonising enterprise of the British made of it an important city and a fine port—Victoria. The island is at the mouth of the Canton river, sixty miles only from Macao, upon the opposite bank. Hong Kong has beaten the other port in the struggle for commercial supremacy, and the greater traffic in Chinese merchandise finds its way to the island. There are docks, hospitals, wharfs, warehouses, a cathedral, a Government house, macadamised roads, &c., which give to Hong Kong as English an aspect as a town in Kent or Surrey, which had by some accident fallen to the antipodes.
Passe-partout, with his hands in his pockets, wandered towards Port Victoria, gazing at the people as they passed, and admiring the palanquins and other conveyances. The city appeared to him like Bombay, Calcutta, and Singapore; or like any other town colonised by the English.
At the port situated at the mouth of the Canton river was a regular confusion of ships of all nations, commercial and warlike: junks, sempas, tankas, and even flower-boats, like floating garden-borders. Passe-partout remarked several of the natives, elderly men, clothed in nankeen; and when he went to a barber's to be shaved, he inquired of the man, who spoke pretty good English, who they were, and was informed that these men were all eighty years of age, and were therefore permitted to wear the imperial colour, namely yellow. Passe-partout, without exactly knowing why, thought this very funny.
After being shaved, he went to the quay from which theCarnaticwas to start, and there he found Fix walking up and down, in a very disturbed manner.
"Ho, ho!" thought Passe-partout, "this does not look well for the Reform Club;" and with a merry smile he accosted the detective without appearing to have noticed his vexation. Fix had indeed good reasons for feeling annoyed. The warrant had not arrived. No doubt it was on its way, but it was quite impossible it could reach Hong Kong for several days, and as this was the last British territory at which Mr. Fogg would touch, he would escape if he could not be detained somehow.
"Well, Mr. Fix," said Passe-partout, "have you decided to come toAmerica with us?"
"Yes," replied Fix, between his clenched teeth.
"Come along, then," said Passe-partout, laughing loudly; "I knew you could not leave us. Come and engage your berth."
So they went to the office, and took four places. But the clerk informed them that theCarnatic, having had her repairs completed, would sail that evening at eight o'clock, and not next morning, as previously announced.
"Very good," said Passe-partout, "that will suit my master exactly. I will go and tell him."
And now Fix determined to make a bold move. He would tell Passe-partout everything. This was perhaps the only way by which he could keep Phileas Fogg at Hong Kong.
As they quitted the office. Fix offered his companion some refreshment, which Passe-partout accepted. They saw a tavern close by, which they entered, and reached a large well-decorated room, at the end of which was a large camp-bedstead furnished with cushions. On this lay a number of men asleep. About thirty people were seated at small tables drinking beer, porter, brandy, or other liquors; and the majority of drinkers were smoking long pipes of red clay filled with little balls of opium steeped in rose-water. From time to time a smoker would subside under the table, and the waiters would carry him and place him on the bed at the end of the room. There were about twenty of these stupefied smokers altogether.
Fix and Passe-partout perceived that they had entered a smoking-house, patronised by those wretched idiots devoted to one of the most injurious vices of humanity—the smoking of opium, which the English merchants sell every year to the value of one million four hundred thousand pounds. The Chinese Government has vainly endeavoured by stringent laws to remedy the evil, but in vain. The habit has descended from the rich to the poorest classes, and now opium is smoked everywhere at all times by men and women, and those accustomed to it cannot do without it A great smoker can consume eight pipes a day, but he dies in five years.
It was to one of these dens that Fix and Passe-partout had come for refreshment; the latter had no money, but accepted his companion's treat, hoping to return the civility at some future time. Fix ordered two bottles of port, to which the Frenchman paid considerable attention, while Fix, more cautious, watched his companion narrowly. They talked upon many subjects, and particularly respecting Fix's happy determination to sail in theCarnatic; and that put Passe-partout in mind that he ought to go and inform his master respecting the alteration in the time of the steamer's departure, which, as the bottles were empty, he proceeded to do.
"Just one moment," said Fix, detaining him.
"What do you want, Mr. Fix?"
"I want to speak to you seriously."
"Seriously!" exclaimed Passe-partout. "Well, then, let us talk to-morrow, I have no time to-day."
"You had better wait," said Fix; "it concerns your master."
Passe-partout looked closely at his companion, and as the expression of his face was peculiar he sat down again.
"What have you got to say to me?" he said.
Fix placed his hand on his companion's arm, and said, in a low voice,"You have guessed who I am, eh?"
"Rather," replied Passe-partout.
"Well, then, I am going to tell you everything."
"Yes, now that I know everything, my friend. That's pretty good. However, go on; but first let me tell you that those gentlemen have sent you on a wild-goose chase."
"It is evident that you do not know how large the sum in question is," said Fix.
"Oh yes, but I do," said Passe-partout, "it is twenty thousand pounds."
"Fifty-five thousand," replied Fix, shaking the Frenchman's hand.
"What!" exclaimed Passe-partout, "has Mr. Fogg risked fifty-five thousand pounds? Well, then, all the more reason we should not lose any time," he added, as he rose from his chair.
"Fifty-five thousand pounds," continued Fix, pressing his companion into his seat again, as a flask of brandy was placed before them; "and if I succeed I shall get a percentage of two thousand pounds. If you will assist me I will give you five hundred."
"Assist you!" exclaimed Passe-partout, as he stared wildly at the detective.
"Yes, assist me to keep Mr. Fogg here for some hours longer."
"What is that you say?" said Passe-partout. "Not content with tracking my master, do these gentlemen suspect his good face and wish to put obstacles in his way? I am ashamed of them."
"What are you talking about?" said Fix.
"I say it is a piece of meanness; they might just as well pick Mr.Fogg's pocket."
"That is just the very thing we want to do."
"Then it is a conspiracy, is it?" exclaimed Passe-partout, who was getting excited by the brandy which he unconsciously had swallowed, "a regular conspiracy; and they call themselves gentlemen and friends!"
Fix began to feel very puzzled.
"Friends!" exclaimed Passe-partout, "members of the Reform Club, indeed! Do you know, Mr. Fix, that my master is an honest man, and when he has made a bet he wins it fairly?"
"But can you guess who I am?" said Fix, looking steadily atPasse-partout.
"An agent of the members of the club, whose business it is to hinder my master; and a dirty job it is, too; so although I have found you out long ago, I did not like to betray you to Mr. Fogg."
"Then he knows nothing about it," said Fix quickly.
"Nothing," replied Passe-partout, emptying his glass once more.
The detective passed his hand over his eyes and considered what he was to do. Passe-partout appeared sincere, and this rendered his plan all the more difficult; he evidently was not his master's accomplice. "He will, therefore, help me," said Fix to himself.
There was no time to lose. At any risk Fogg must be stopped at HongKong.
"Listen," said Fix, in a sharp tone; "I am not what you think me."
"Bah!" said Passe-partout.
"I am a detective, sent out by the police authorities in London."
"You a detective?"
"Yes, I can prove it. Here is my authority;" and drawing a paper from his pocketbook, he exhibited his instructions to the stupefied Passe-partout, who was unable to utter a word.
"This wager of Mr. Fogg's," continued Fix, "is merely to blindfold you and his colleagues at the Reform Club. He had a motive in securing your unconscious complicity."
"But why?" said Passe-partout.
"For this reason. On the 28th of last September, the sum of fifty-five thousand pounds was stolen from the Bank of England, by a person whose description is fortunately known. That description tallies exactly with Mr. Fogg's appearance."
"Absurd," exclaimed Passe-partout, striking the table with his fist; "my master is the most honest man in the world."
"What do you know about it?" replied Fix. "You only entered his service on the day he left on a mad excursion, without luggage, and carrying an immense sum in bank-notes; and do you dare to maintain that he is an honest man?"
"Yes, yes," repeated the other mechanically.
"Do you wish to be arrested as an accomplice?"
Passe-partout clutched his head with both hands; he was stupefied. He did not dare to look at the detective. Phileas Fogg a robber! This brave, generous man, the rescuer of Aouda, a thief? And yet circumstantial evidence was strong. Passe-partout did not wish to believe it. He could not believe in his master's guilt.
"Well, then, what do you want me to do?" he said, with an effort.
"Look here," said Fix: "I have tracked Mr. Fogg so far, but as yet I have not received a warrant, which I asked to be sent from London. You must help me to keep your master in Hong Kong."
"But I—"
"If so, I will share with you the reward of two thousand pounds promised by the bank."
"Never!" replied Passe-partout, who attempted to rise, but fell back utterly exhausted and stupefied.
"Mr. Fix," he stammered, "even if you have told the truth, supposing my master is the thief you are searching for—which I deny—I have been, I am still in his service; he is kind and generous to me, and I will never betray him for all the gold in the world."
"You refuse, then?"
"Absolutely."
"Well, then," said Fix, "forget all I have said. And now let us have a drink."
"Yes, let us have another glass."
Passe-partout felt that the liquor was overcoming him more and more. Fix having made up his mind that he must be separated from his master at any price, determined to finish the matter. On the table were some pipes of opium. Fix handed one of these to Passe-partout, who took a few puffs and fell back perfectly insensible.
"At last," muttered Fix, as Passe-partout collapsed. "Mr. Fogg will not hear of the change of time for the sailing of theCarnatic, and if so, he will have to go without this infernal Frenchman."
Then paying the score, he quitted the tavern.
Showing how Fix and Fogg come face to face.
While these events, which gravely compromised Mr. Fogg's future, were passing, that gentleman and Mrs. Aouda were walking through the town. Since she had accepted Mr. Fogg's escort to England, she wished to make some purchases for the voyage, for a lady could not travel with a hand-bag, as a gentleman might do. So she bought some necessary clothing, etc., and Mr. Fogg overcame all her excuses with his characteristic generosity.
"It is in my own interest," he invariably replied; "a part of my programme."
Having purchased what they required, they returned to dinner at the hotel Mrs. Aouda subsequently retired to rest, leaving Mr. Fogg readingThe TimesandIllustrated News.
Had Mr. Fogg been a man likely to be astonished at anything, he would have been surprised at the absence of his servant at bedtime; so believing that the steamer did not start for Yokohama till the following morning, he did not trouble himself; but Passe-partout did not appear when Mr. Fogg rang for him next morning, and then he learnt that his servant had not come in during the night. Without a word Mr. Fogg packed his bag, and sent to call Mrs. Aouda and for a palanquin. It was eight o'clock, and theCarnaticwas to sail at high-water at half-past nine. Mr. Fogg and his companion got into the palanquin and reached the quay. Then, and not till then, they were informed that theCarnatichad left the previous evening.
Mr. Fogg, who had made up his mind to find the steamer and the servant both awaiting him, was obliged to go without either. He showed no anxiety, merely remarking to Mrs. Aouda, "An incident of travel, madam, nothing more."
At this moment, a man who had been watching them approached. It wasFix. He approached Mr. Fogg, and said:
"Were you not one of the passengers on board theRangoonyesterday, as well as myself?"
"Yes, sir," replied Mr. Fogg coldly; "but I have not the honour—"
"Excuse me, but I expected to find your servant here."
"Do you know where he is?" asked the young lady quickly.
"What!" exclaimed Fix, in feigned surprise, "is he not with you?"
"No," replied Mrs. Aouda, "he has been absent since yesterday. Perhaps he has sailed in theCarnatic."
"Without you, madam?" said the detective. "You will excuse my question, but you counted on leaving in that steamer?"
"Yes, sir."
"So did I, madam; and I am terribly disappointed. The fact is, theCarnaticwas ready for sea twelve hours sooner than was expected, and now we shall have to wait twelve days for another steamer."
Fix was delighted as he said this. In eight days the warrant would arrive. His chances were good. But his disgust may be guessed when he heard Fogg say, in his usual calm tone, "I suppose there are other ships besides theCarnaticin Hong Kong harbour;" and offering his arm to Mrs. Aouda, he turned away towards the docks.
Fix followed him in a dogged sort of manner. He appeared to be attached to Fogg by some invisible cord. But fortune had evidently abandoned Phileas Fogg. For three mortal hours he wandered about the docks, endeavouring to charter a vessel to take him to Yokohama; but all the ships were either loading or unloading, and could not go. The detective's spirits rose again.
But Mr. Fogg was not discouraged. He made up his mind to continue his search, even if he had to cross to Macao. At length he was accosted by a sailor.
"Is your honour looking for a boat?"
"Have you a boat ready to sail?" asked Mr. Fogg.
"I have. A pilot-boat, No. 43; the best in the harbour."
"Can she sail fast?"
"She can make eight or nine knots an hour, or more. Would you like to see her?"
"Yes."
"You will be pleased, I am sure. Is it for a trip that you require her?"
"Somewhat more than that; for a voyage."
"A voyage?"
"I want you to take me to Yokohama."
The sailor folded his arms and looked steadily at Mr. Fogg. "Is your honour serious?" he said.
"Yes. I have lost theCarnatic, and I must be at Yokohama on the 14th, at latest, to catch the steamer for San Francisco."
"I am very sorry," replied the pilot, "but it is impossible."
"I will give you a hundred pounds a day and a bonus of two hundred pounds, if you arrive in time."
"Are you in earnest?" asked the pilot.
"Very much so," replied Mr. Fogg.
The pilot took a turn up and down the wharf; he looked out to sea, and was evidently struggling between his wish to get the money and his fear of venturing so far. Fix, all this time, was on tenter-hooks.
Mr. Fogg turned to Mrs. Aouda, and asked her if she were afraid.
"Not with you, Mr. Fogg," replied the young lady.
Just then the pilot returned, twirling his hat in his hands.
"Well, pilot?" said Mr. Fogg.
"Well, your honour," replied the pilot; "I cannot risk my life, or my men, or even you in such a voyage, in so small a ship, at this time of year. Besides, we could not get to Yokohama in time. It is one thousand six hundred and fifty miles away."
"Only one thousand six hundred," said Mr. Fogg.
"Oh, it is all the same." Fix breathed again. "But," continued the pilot, "we might manage it in another way."
Fix scarcely dared to breathe.
"How do you mean?" asked Fogg.
"By going to Nagasaki, which is only eleven hundred miles, or to Shanghai, which is eight hundred. In the latter case we shall be able to keep close in-shore, and have advantage of the current."
"But," replied Fogg, "I must take the American mail steamer atYokohama, and not at Shanghai or Nagasaki."
"Well, why not?" replied the pilot. "TheSan Franciscodoes not start from Yokohama; it starts from Shanghai, and only calls at Yokohama and Nagasaki."
"Are you quite sure of that?"
"Certain."
"And when does she leave Shanghai?"
On the 11th, at seven o'clock in the evening. So we have four days, which are ninety-six hours; and at the rate of eight knots an hour, if the wind hold, we shall be able to reach Shanghai in time."
"And when will you be able to start?"
"In an hour. I only want to buy some provisions and bend the sails."
"Well, it is a bargain. Are you the owner?"
"Yes; my name is John Bunsby, owner of theTankadere."
"Would you like something on account?"
"If convenient to your honour."
"Here are two hundred pounds. Sir," continued Fogg, turning to Fix, "if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity—"
"Thank you, sir," replied Fix. "I was about to beg the favour of you."
"Well, then, we shall be ready in half an hour."
"But what shall we do about the servant?" said Mrs. Aouda, who was much distressed at Passe-partout's absence.
"I will do all I can for him," replied Fogg; and while they directed their steps towards the police-office. Fix went on board the pilot-boat. Phileas left the description of his servant with the police, and a sum of money to be spent in seeking him. The same formality was gone through at the French Consulate; and then procuring their luggage, which had been sent back to the hotel, they went down to the wharf.
Three o'clock struck; the pilot-boat No. 43 was ready to start. She was a pretty little schooner, about twenty tons, built for speed, like a racing-yacht. She was as bright and clean as possible, and Bunsby evidently took a pride in his little craft. Her masts raked rather. She carried foresail and the usual sails for a ship of her tonnage. She could evidently make good way, as indeed she had proved by winning several prizes.
The crew consisted of the owner and four other men, all well acquainted with the neighbouring seas, which they scoured in search of ships wanting pilots. John Bunsby was a man of about five-and-forty, vigorous and full of decision and energy, calculated to reassure the most nervous passengers.
Phileas Fogg and Mrs. Aouda went on board, where they found Fix already installed. The accommodation was not extensive, but everything was clean and neat.
"I am sorry I have nothing better to offer you," said Mr. Fogg to Fix. The latter bowed without replying, for he felt somewhat humiliated in accepting Mr. Fogg's kindness under the circumstances.
"At any rate," he thought, "if he is a rascal he is a very polite one."
At ten minutes past three the sails were hoisted, the English flag was run up to the peak; the passengers took a last look at the quays in the hope of descrying Passe-partout, but they were disappointed. Fix was somewhat afraid that some chance might bring the lad whom he had treated so badly in that direction, and then an explanation would surely have ensued of a nature by no means satisfactory to the detective. But the Frenchman did not turn up, and no doubt he was still under the influence of the opium.
So John Bunsby stood out to sea, and theTankadere, with the wind on the quarter, went bounding briskly over the waves.