Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.VII-XIII
The thought then struck Passepartout, that he was the cause of this `
` new misfortune! Had he not concealed Fix's errand from his master? `
` When Fix revealed his true character and purpose, why had he not told `
` Mr. Fogg? If the latter had been warned, he would no doubt have given `
` Fix proof of his innocence, and satisfied him of his mistake; at least, `
` Fix would not have continued his journey at the expense and on the heels `
` of his master, only to arrest him the moment he set foot on English soil. `
` Passepartout wept till he was blind, and felt like blowing his brains out. `
` `
` Aouda and he had remained, despite the cold, under the portico `
` of the Custom House. Neither wished to leave the place; `
` both were anxious to see Mr. Fogg again. `
` `
` That gentleman was really ruined, and that at the moment `
` when he was about to attain his end. This arrest was fatal. `
` Having arrived at Liverpool at twenty minutes before `
` twelve on the 21st of December, he had till a quarter before nine `
` that evening to reach the Reform Club, that is, nine hours and a quarter; `
` the journey from Liverpool to London was six hours. `
` `
` If anyone, at this moment, had entered the Custom House, `
` he would have found Mr. Fogg seated, motionless, calm, and without `
` apparent anger, upon a wooden bench. He was not, it is true, `
` resigned; but this last blow failed to force him into an outward `
` betrayal of any emotion. Was he being devoured by one of those `
` secret rages, all the more terrible because contained, and which `
` only burst forth, with an irresistible force, at the last moment? `
` No one could tell. There he sat, calmly waiting--for what? `
` Did he still cherish hope? Did he still believe, now that the door `
` of this prison was closed upon him, that he would succeed? `
` `
` However that may have been, Mr. Fogg carefully put his watch `
` upon the table, and observed its advancing hands. Not a word `
` escaped his lips, but his look was singularly set and stern. `
` The situation, in any event, was a terrible one, and might be `
` thus stated: if Phileas Fogg was honest he was ruined; if he `
` was a knave, he was caught. `
` `
` Did escape occur to him? Did he examine to see if there were `
` any practicable outlet from his prison? Did he think of escaping `
` from it? Possibly; for once he walked slowly around the room. `
` But the door was locked, and the window heavily barred with `
` iron rods. He sat down again, and drew his journal from his pocket. `
` On the line where these words were written, "21st December, `
` Saturday, Liverpool," he added, "80th day, 11.40 a.m.," and waited. `
` `
` The Custom House clock struck one. Mr. Fogg observed that his watch `
` was two hours too fast. `
` `
` Two hours! Admitting that he was at this moment taking an `
` express train, he could reach London and the Reform Club `
` by a quarter before nine, p.m. His forehead slightly wrinkled. `
` `
` At thirty-three minutes past two he heard a singular noise outside, `
` then a hasty opening of doors. Passepartout's voice was audible, `
` and immediately after that of Fix. Phileas Fogg's eyes brightened `
` for an instant. `
` `
` The door swung open, and he saw Passepartout, Aouda, and Fix, `
` who hurried towards him. `
` `
` Fix was out of breath, and his hair was in disorder. He could not speak. `
` "Sir," he stammered, "sir--forgive me--most--unfortunate resemblance-- `
` robber arrested three days ago--you are free!" `
` `
` Phileas Fogg was free! He walked to the detective, looked him steadily `
` in the face, and with the only rapid motion he had ever made in his life, `
` or which he ever would make, drew back his arms, and with the precision `
` of a machine knocked Fix down. `
` `
` "Well hit!" cried Passepartout, "Parbleu! that's what `
` you might call a good application of English fists!" `
` `
` Fix, who found himself on the floor, did not utter a word. `
` He had only received his deserts. Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout `
` left the Custom House without delay, got into a cab, and in a few `
` moments descended at the station. `
` `
` Phileas Fogg asked if there was an express train `
` about to leave for London. It was forty minutes past two. `
` The express train had left thirty-five minutes before. `
` Phileas Fogg then ordered a special train. `
` `
` There were several rapid locomotives on hand; but the railway arrangements `
` did not permit the special train to leave until three o'clock. `
` `
` At that hour Phileas Fogg, having stimulated the engineer by `
` the offer of a generous reward, at last set out towards London `
` with Aouda and his faithful servant. `
` `
` It was necessary to make the journey in five hours and a half; `
` and this would have been easy on a clear road throughout. `
` But there were forced delays, and when Mr. Fogg stepped `
` from the train at the terminus, all the clocks in London `
` were striking ten minutes before nine. `
` `
` Having made the tour of the world, he was behind-hand `
` five minutes. He had lost the wager! `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXXV `
` `
` IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG DOES NOT HAVE TO `
` REPEAT HIS ORDERS TO PASSEPARTOUT TWICE `
` `
` `
` The dwellers in Saville Row would have been surprised the next day, `
` if they had been told that Phileas Fogg had returned home. `
` His doors and windows were still closed, no appearance of change was visible. `
` `
` After leaving the station, Mr. Fogg gave Passepartout instructions `
` to purchase some provisions, and quietly went to his domicile. `
` `
` He bore his misfortune with his habitual tranquillity. `
` Ruined! And by the blundering of the detective! After having `
` steadily traversed that long journey, overcome a hundred obstacles, `
` braved many dangers, and still found time to do some good on his way, `
` to fail near the goal by a sudden event which he could not have foreseen, `
` and against which he was unarmed; it was terrible! But a few pounds were `
` left of the large sum he had carried with him. There only remained `
` of his fortune the twenty thousand pounds deposited at Barings, `
` and this amount he owed to his friends of the Reform Club. `
` So great had been the expense of his tour that, even had he won, `
` it would not have enriched him; and it is probable that he had not sought `
` to enrich himself, being a man who rather laid wagers for honour's sake `
` than for the stake proposed. But this wager totally ruined him. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg's course, however, was fully decided upon; he knew what remained `
` for him to do. `
` `
` A room in the house in Saville Row was set apart for Aouda, `
` who was overwhelmed with grief at her protector's misfortune. `
` From the words which Mr. Fogg dropped, she saw that he was `
` meditating some serious project. `
` `
` Knowing that Englishmen governed by a fixed idea sometimes resort `
` to the desperate expedient of suicide, Passepartout kept a narrow watch `
` upon his master, though he carefully concealed the appearance of so doing. `
` `
` First of all, the worthy fellow had gone up to his room, and had extinguished `
` the gas burner, which had been burning for eighty days. He had found `
` in the letter-box a bill from the gas company, and he thought it more `
` than time to put a stop to this expense, which he had been doomed to bear. `
` `
` The night passed. Mr. Fogg went to bed, but did he sleep? `
` Aouda did not once close her eyes. Passepartout watched `
` all night, like a faithful dog, at his master's door. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg called him in the morning, and told him to get `
` Aouda's breakfast, and a cup of tea and a chop for himself. `
` He desired Aouda to excuse him from breakfast and dinner, `
` as his time would be absorbed all day in putting his affairs to rights. `
` In the evening he would ask permission to have a few moment's `
` conversation with the young lady. `
` `
` Passepartout, having received his orders, had nothing to do but obey them. `
` He looked at his imperturbable master, and could scarcely bring his mind `
` to leave him. His heart was full, and his conscience tortured by remorse; `
` for he accused himself more bitterly than ever of being the cause `
` of the irretrievable disaster. Yes! if he had warned Mr. Fogg, `
` and had betrayed Fix's projects to him, his master would certainly `
` not have given the detective passage to Liverpool, and then-- `
` `
` Passepartout could hold in no longer. `
` `
` "My master! Mr. Fogg!" he cried, "why do you not curse me? `
` It was my fault that--" `
` `
` "I blame no one," returned Phileas Fogg, with perfect calmness. "Go!" `
` `
` Passepartout left the room, and went to find Aouda, `
` to whom he delivered his master's message. `
` `
` "Madam," he added, "I can do nothing myself--nothing! `
` I have no influence over my master; but you, perhaps--" `
` `
` "What influence could I have?" replied Aouda. "Mr. Fogg `
` is influenced by no one. Has he ever understood that my gratitude `
` to him is overflowing? Has he ever read my heart? My friend, `
` he must not be left alone an instant! You say he is going to `
` speak with me this evening?" `
` `
` "Yes, madam; probably to arrange for your protection and comfort in England." `
` `
` "We shall see," replied Aouda, becoming suddenly pensive. `
` `
` Throughout this day (Sunday) the house in Saville Row was as if uninhabited, `
` and Phileas Fogg, for the first time since he had lived in that house, `
` did not set out for his club when Westminster clock struck half-past eleven. `
` `
` Why should he present himself at the Reform? His friends no longer expected `
` him there. As Phileas Fogg had not appeared in the saloon on the `
` evening before (Saturday, the 21st of December, at a quarter before nine), `
` he had lost his wager. It was not even necessary that he should go to `
` his bankers for the twenty thousand pounds; for his antagonists already `
` had his cheque in their hands, and they had only to fill it out `
` and send it to the Barings to have the amount transferred to their credit. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, therefore, had no reason for going out, and so `
`
` new misfortune! Had he not concealed Fix's errand from his master? `
` When Fix revealed his true character and purpose, why had he not told `
` Mr. Fogg? If the latter had been warned, he would no doubt have given `
` Fix proof of his innocence, and satisfied him of his mistake; at least, `
` Fix would not have continued his journey at the expense and on the heels `
` of his master, only to arrest him the moment he set foot on English soil. `
` Passepartout wept till he was blind, and felt like blowing his brains out. `
` `
` Aouda and he had remained, despite the cold, under the portico `
` of the Custom House. Neither wished to leave the place; `
` both were anxious to see Mr. Fogg again. `
` `
` That gentleman was really ruined, and that at the moment `
` when he was about to attain his end. This arrest was fatal. `
` Having arrived at Liverpool at twenty minutes before `
` twelve on the 21st of December, he had till a quarter before nine `
` that evening to reach the Reform Club, that is, nine hours and a quarter; `
` the journey from Liverpool to London was six hours. `
` `
` If anyone, at this moment, had entered the Custom House, `
` he would have found Mr. Fogg seated, motionless, calm, and without `
` apparent anger, upon a wooden bench. He was not, it is true, `
` resigned; but this last blow failed to force him into an outward `
` betrayal of any emotion. Was he being devoured by one of those `
` secret rages, all the more terrible because contained, and which `
` only burst forth, with an irresistible force, at the last moment? `
` No one could tell. There he sat, calmly waiting--for what? `
` Did he still cherish hope? Did he still believe, now that the door `
` of this prison was closed upon him, that he would succeed? `
` `
` However that may have been, Mr. Fogg carefully put his watch `
` upon the table, and observed its advancing hands. Not a word `
` escaped his lips, but his look was singularly set and stern. `
` The situation, in any event, was a terrible one, and might be `
` thus stated: if Phileas Fogg was honest he was ruined; if he `
` was a knave, he was caught. `
` `
` Did escape occur to him? Did he examine to see if there were `
` any practicable outlet from his prison? Did he think of escaping `
` from it? Possibly; for once he walked slowly around the room. `
` But the door was locked, and the window heavily barred with `
` iron rods. He sat down again, and drew his journal from his pocket. `
` On the line where these words were written, "21st December, `
` Saturday, Liverpool," he added, "80th day, 11.40 a.m.," and waited. `
` `
` The Custom House clock struck one. Mr. Fogg observed that his watch `
` was two hours too fast. `
` `
` Two hours! Admitting that he was at this moment taking an `
` express train, he could reach London and the Reform Club `
` by a quarter before nine, p.m. His forehead slightly wrinkled. `
` `
` At thirty-three minutes past two he heard a singular noise outside, `
` then a hasty opening of doors. Passepartout's voice was audible, `
` and immediately after that of Fix. Phileas Fogg's eyes brightened `
` for an instant. `
` `
` The door swung open, and he saw Passepartout, Aouda, and Fix, `
` who hurried towards him. `
` `
` Fix was out of breath, and his hair was in disorder. He could not speak. `
` "Sir," he stammered, "sir--forgive me--most--unfortunate resemblance-- `
` robber arrested three days ago--you are free!" `
` `
` Phileas Fogg was free! He walked to the detective, looked him steadily `
` in the face, and with the only rapid motion he had ever made in his life, `
` or which he ever would make, drew back his arms, and with the precision `
` of a machine knocked Fix down. `
` `
` "Well hit!" cried Passepartout, "Parbleu! that's what `
` you might call a good application of English fists!" `
` `
` Fix, who found himself on the floor, did not utter a word. `
` He had only received his deserts. Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout `
` left the Custom House without delay, got into a cab, and in a few `
` moments descended at the station. `
` `
` Phileas Fogg asked if there was an express train `
` about to leave for London. It was forty minutes past two. `
` The express train had left thirty-five minutes before. `
` Phileas Fogg then ordered a special train. `
` `
` There were several rapid locomotives on hand; but the railway arrangements `
` did not permit the special train to leave until three o'clock. `
` `
` At that hour Phileas Fogg, having stimulated the engineer by `
` the offer of a generous reward, at last set out towards London `
` with Aouda and his faithful servant. `
` `
` It was necessary to make the journey in five hours and a half; `
` and this would have been easy on a clear road throughout. `
` But there were forced delays, and when Mr. Fogg stepped `
` from the train at the terminus, all the clocks in London `
` were striking ten minutes before nine. `
` `
` Having made the tour of the world, he was behind-hand `
` five minutes. He had lost the wager! `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XXXV `
` `
` IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG DOES NOT HAVE TO `
` REPEAT HIS ORDERS TO PASSEPARTOUT TWICE `
` `
` `
` The dwellers in Saville Row would have been surprised the next day, `
` if they had been told that Phileas Fogg had returned home. `
` His doors and windows were still closed, no appearance of change was visible. `
` `
` After leaving the station, Mr. Fogg gave Passepartout instructions `
` to purchase some provisions, and quietly went to his domicile. `
` `
` He bore his misfortune with his habitual tranquillity. `
` Ruined! And by the blundering of the detective! After having `
` steadily traversed that long journey, overcome a hundred obstacles, `
` braved many dangers, and still found time to do some good on his way, `
` to fail near the goal by a sudden event which he could not have foreseen, `
` and against which he was unarmed; it was terrible! But a few pounds were `
` left of the large sum he had carried with him. There only remained `
` of his fortune the twenty thousand pounds deposited at Barings, `
` and this amount he owed to his friends of the Reform Club. `
` So great had been the expense of his tour that, even had he won, `
` it would not have enriched him; and it is probable that he had not sought `
` to enrich himself, being a man who rather laid wagers for honour's sake `
` than for the stake proposed. But this wager totally ruined him. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg's course, however, was fully decided upon; he knew what remained `
` for him to do. `
` `
` A room in the house in Saville Row was set apart for Aouda, `
` who was overwhelmed with grief at her protector's misfortune. `
` From the words which Mr. Fogg dropped, she saw that he was `
` meditating some serious project. `
` `
` Knowing that Englishmen governed by a fixed idea sometimes resort `
` to the desperate expedient of suicide, Passepartout kept a narrow watch `
` upon his master, though he carefully concealed the appearance of so doing. `
` `
` First of all, the worthy fellow had gone up to his room, and had extinguished `
` the gas burner, which had been burning for eighty days. He had found `
` in the letter-box a bill from the gas company, and he thought it more `
` than time to put a stop to this expense, which he had been doomed to bear. `
` `
` The night passed. Mr. Fogg went to bed, but did he sleep? `
` Aouda did not once close her eyes. Passepartout watched `
` all night, like a faithful dog, at his master's door. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg called him in the morning, and told him to get `
` Aouda's breakfast, and a cup of tea and a chop for himself. `
` He desired Aouda to excuse him from breakfast and dinner, `
` as his time would be absorbed all day in putting his affairs to rights. `
` In the evening he would ask permission to have a few moment's `
` conversation with the young lady. `
` `
` Passepartout, having received his orders, had nothing to do but obey them. `
` He looked at his imperturbable master, and could scarcely bring his mind `
` to leave him. His heart was full, and his conscience tortured by remorse; `
` for he accused himself more bitterly than ever of being the cause `
` of the irretrievable disaster. Yes! if he had warned Mr. Fogg, `
` and had betrayed Fix's projects to him, his master would certainly `
` not have given the detective passage to Liverpool, and then-- `
` `
` Passepartout could hold in no longer. `
` `
` "My master! Mr. Fogg!" he cried, "why do you not curse me? `
` It was my fault that--" `
` `
` "I blame no one," returned Phileas Fogg, with perfect calmness. "Go!" `
` `
` Passepartout left the room, and went to find Aouda, `
` to whom he delivered his master's message. `
` `
` "Madam," he added, "I can do nothing myself--nothing! `
` I have no influence over my master; but you, perhaps--" `
` `
` "What influence could I have?" replied Aouda. "Mr. Fogg `
` is influenced by no one. Has he ever understood that my gratitude `
` to him is overflowing? Has he ever read my heart? My friend, `
` he must not be left alone an instant! You say he is going to `
` speak with me this evening?" `
` `
` "Yes, madam; probably to arrange for your protection and comfort in England." `
` `
` "We shall see," replied Aouda, becoming suddenly pensive. `
` `
` Throughout this day (Sunday) the house in Saville Row was as if uninhabited, `
` and Phileas Fogg, for the first time since he had lived in that house, `
` did not set out for his club when Westminster clock struck half-past eleven. `
` `
` Why should he present himself at the Reform? His friends no longer expected `
` him there. As Phileas Fogg had not appeared in the saloon on the `
` evening before (Saturday, the 21st of December, at a quarter before nine), `
` he had lost his wager. It was not even necessary that he should go to `
` his bankers for the twenty thousand pounds; for his antagonists already `
` had his cheque in their hands, and they had only to fill it out `
` and send it to the Barings to have the amount transferred to their credit. `
` `
` Mr. Fogg, therefore, had no reason for going out, and so `
`