Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.I-VI
She did, indeed, belong to the highest of the native races of India. `
` Many of the Parsee merchants have made great fortunes there by dealing `
` in cotton; and one of them, Sir Jametsee Jeejeebhoy, was made a baronet `
` by the English government. Aouda was a relative of this great man, `
` and it was his cousin, Jeejeeh, whom she hoped to join at Hong Kong. `
` Whether she would find a protector in him she could not tell; `
` but Mr. Fogg essayed to calm her anxieties, and to assure her that `
` everything would be mathematically--he used the very word--arranged. `
` Aouda fastened her great eyes, "clear as the sacred lakes of the Himalaya," `
` upon him; but the intractable Fogg, as reserved as ever, did not seem `
` at all inclined to throw himself into this lake. `
` `
` The first few days of the voyage passed prosperously, amid favourable `
` weather and propitious winds, and they soon came in sight of `
` the great Andaman, the principal of the islands in the Bay of Bengal, `
` with its picturesque Saddle Peak, two thousand four hundred feet high, `
` looming above the waters. The steamer passed along near the shores, `
` but the savage Papuans, who are in the lowest scale of humanity, `
` but are not, as has been asserted, cannibals, did not make their appearance. `
` `
` The panorama of the islands, as they steamed by them, was superb. `
` Vast forests of palms, arecs, bamboo, teakwood, of the gigantic mimosa, `
` and tree-like ferns covered the foreground, while behind, the graceful outlines `
` of the mountains were traced against the sky; and along the coasts swarmed `
` by thousands the precious swallows whose nests furnish a luxurious dish `
` to the tables of the Celestial Empire. The varied landscape afforded by `
` the Andaman Islands was soon passed, however, and the Rangoon rapidly `
` approached the Straits of Malacca, which gave access to the China seas. `
` `
` What was detective Fix, so unluckily drawn on from country to country, `
` doing all this while? He had managed to embark on the Rangoon at Calcutta `
` without being seen by Passepartout, after leaving orders that, `
` if the warrant should arrive, it should be forwarded to him at Hong Kong; `
` and he hoped to conceal his presence to the end of the voyage. `
` It would have been difficult to explain why he was on board `
` without awakening Passepartout's suspicions, who thought him still at Bombay. `
` But necessity impelled him, nevertheless, to renew his acquaintance `
` with the worthy servant, as will be seen. `
` `
` All the detective's hopes and wishes were now centred on Hong Kong; `
` for the steamer's stay at Singapore would be too brief to enable `
` him to take any steps there. The arrest must be made at Hong Kong, `
` or the robber would probably escape him for ever. Hong Kong was `
` the last English ground on which he would set foot; beyond, China, `
` Japan, America offered to Fogg an almost certain refuge. `
` If the warrant should at last make its appearance at Hong Kong, `
` Fix could arrest him and give him into the hands of the local police, `
` and there would be no further trouble. But beyond Hong Kong, `
` a simple warrant would be of no avail; an extradition warrant `
` would be necessary, and that would result in delays and obstacles, `
` of which the rascal would take advantage to elude justice. `
` `
` Fix thought over these probabilities during the long hours `
` which he spent in his cabin, and kept repeating to himself, `
` "Now, either the warrant will be at Hong Kong, in which case `
` I shall arrest my man, or it will not be there; and this time `
` it is absolutely necessary that I should delay his departure. `
` I have failed at Bombay, and I have failed at Calcutta; if I fail `
` at Hong Kong, my reputation is lost: Cost what it may, I must succeed! `
` But how shall I prevent his departure, if that should turn out to be `
` my last resource?" `
` `
` Fix made up his mind that, if worst came to worst, he would make `
` a confidant of Passepartout, and tell him what kind of a fellow `
` his master really was. That Passepartout was not Fogg's accomplice, `
` he was very certain. The servant, enlightened by his disclosure, `
` and afraid of being himself implicated in the crime, would doubtless `
` become an ally of the detective. But this method was a dangerous one, `
` only to be employed when everything else had failed. A word from `
` Passepartout to his master would ruin all. The detective was therefore `
` in a sore strait. But suddenly a new idea struck him. The presence `
` of Aouda on the Rangoon, in company with Phileas Fogg, gave him `
` new material for reflection. `
` `
` Who was this woman? What combination of events had made her Fogg's `
` travelling companion? They had evidently met somewhere between Bombay `
` and Calcutta; but where? Had they met accidentally, or had Fogg gone `
` into the interior purposely in quest of this charming damsel? `
` Fix was fairly puzzled. He asked himself whether there had not `
` been a wicked elopement; and this idea so impressed itself `
` upon his mind that he determined to make use of the supposed intrigue. `
` Whether the young woman were married or not, he would be able to create `
` such difficulties for Mr. Fogg at Hong Kong that he could not escape `
` by paying any amount of money. `
` `
` But could he even wait till they reached Hong Kong? Fogg had an `
` abominable way of jumping from one boat to another, and, before anything `
` could be effected, might get full under way again for Yokohama. `
` `
` Fix decided that he must warn the English authorities, and signal `
` the Rangoon before her arrival. This was easy to do, since the steamer `
` stopped at Singapore, whence there is a telegraphic wire to Hong Kong. `
` He finally resolved, moreover, before acting more positively, `
` to question Passepartout. It would not be difficult to make him talk; `
` and, as there was no time to lose, Fix prepared to make himself known. `
` `
` It was now the 30th of October, and on the following day the Rangoon `
` was due at Singapore. `
` `
` `
` Fix emerged from his cabin and went on deck. Passepartout was `
` promenading up and down in the forward part of the steamer. `
` The detective rushed forward with every appearance of extreme `
` surprise, and exclaimed, "You here, on the Rangoon?" `
` `
` "What, Monsieur Fix, are you on board?" returned the really `
` astonished Passepartout, recognising his crony of the Mongolia. `
` "Why, I left you at Bombay, and here you are, on the way to Hong Kong! `
` Are you going round the world too?" `
` `
` "No, no," replied Fix; "I shall stop at Hong Kong--at least for some days." `
` `
` "Hum!" said Passepartout, who seemed for an instant perplexed. `
` "But how is it I have not seen you on board since we left Calcutta?" `
` `
` "Oh, a trifle of sea-sickness--I've been staying in my berth. `
` The Gulf of Bengal does not agree with me as well as the Indian Ocean. `
` And how is Mr. Fogg?" `
` `
` "As well and as punctual as ever, not a day behind time! `
` But, Monsieur Fix, you don't know that we have a young lady with us." `
` `
` "A young lady?" replied the detective, not seeming to comprehend `
` what was said. `
` `
` Passepartout thereupon recounted Aouda's history, the affair `
` at the Bombay pagoda, the purchase of the elephant for `
` two thousand pounds, the rescue, the arrest, and sentence `
` of the Calcutta court, and the restoration of Mr. Fogg `
` and himself to liberty on bail. Fix, who was familiar `
` with the last events, seemed to be equally ignorant of all `
` that Passepartout related; and the later was charmed `
` to find so interested a listener. `
` `
` "But does your master propose to carry this young woman to Europe?" `
` `
` "Not at all. We are simply going to place her under the protection `
` of one of her relatives, a rich merchant at Hong Kong." `
` `
` "Nothing to be done there," said Fix to himself, concealing his disappointment. `
` "A glass of gin, Mr. Passepartout?" `
` `
` "Willingly, Monsieur Fix. We must at least have a friendly glass `
` on board the Rangoon." `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XVII `
` `
` SHOWING WHAT HAPPENED ON THE VOYAGE FROM SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG `
` `
` `
` The detective and Passepartout met often on deck after this interview, `
` though Fix was reserved, and did not attempt to induce his companion `
` to divulge any more facts concerning Mr. Fogg. He caught a glimpse `
` of that mysterious gentleman once or twice; but Mr. Fogg usually confined `
` himself to the cabin, where he kept Aouda company, or, according to his `
` inveterate habit, took a hand at whist. `
` `
` Passepartout began very seriously to conjecture what strange `
` chance kept Fix still on the route that his master was pursuing. `
` It was really worth considering why this certainly very amiable `
` and complacent person, whom he had first met at Suez, had then `
` encountered on board the Mongolia, who disembarked at Bombay, `
` which he announced as his destination, and now turned up so `
` unexpectedly on the Rangoon, was following Mr. Fogg's tracks step `
` by step. What was Fix's object? Passepartout was ready to wager his `
` Indian shoes--which he religiously preserved--that Fix would also leave `
` Hong Kong at the same time with them, and probably on the same steamer. `
` `
` Passepartout might have cudgelled his brain for a century without `
` hitting upon the real object which the detective had in view. `
` He never could have imagined that Phileas Fogg was being tracked `
` as a robber around the globe. But, as it is in human nature to attempt `
` the solution of every mystery, Passepartout suddenly discovered `
` an explanation of Fix's movements, which was in truth far from unreasonable. `
` Fix, he thought, could only be an agent of Mr. Fogg's friends `
` at the Reform Club, sent to follow him up, and to ascertain `
` that he really went round the world as had been agreed upon. `
` `
` "It's clear!" repeated the worthy servant to himself, proud of his shrewdness. `
` "He's a spy sent to keep us in view! That isn't quite the thing, either, `
` to be spying Mr. Fogg, who is so honourable a man! Ah, gentlemen of the Reform, `
` this shall cost you dear!" `
` `
` Passepartout, enchanted with his discovery, resolved to say `
` nothing to his master, lest he should be justly offended at this `
` mistrust on the part of his adversaries. But he determined `
` to chaff Fix, when he had the chance, with mysterious allusions, `
` which, however, need not betray his real suspicions. `
` `
` During the afternoon of Wednesday, 30th October, the Rangoon `
` entered the Strait of Malacca, which separates the peninsula `
` of that name from Sumatra. The mountainous and craggy islets `
` intercepted the beauties of this noble island from the view `
` of the travellers. The Rangoon weighed anchor at Singapore the next day `
` at four a.m., to receive coal, having gained half a day on the prescribed `
` time of her arrival. Phileas Fogg noted this gain in his journal, and then, `
` accompanied by Aouda, who betrayed a desire for a walk on shore, disembarked. `
` `
`
` Many of the Parsee merchants have made great fortunes there by dealing `
` in cotton; and one of them, Sir Jametsee Jeejeebhoy, was made a baronet `
` by the English government. Aouda was a relative of this great man, `
` and it was his cousin, Jeejeeh, whom she hoped to join at Hong Kong. `
` Whether she would find a protector in him she could not tell; `
` but Mr. Fogg essayed to calm her anxieties, and to assure her that `
` everything would be mathematically--he used the very word--arranged. `
` Aouda fastened her great eyes, "clear as the sacred lakes of the Himalaya," `
` upon him; but the intractable Fogg, as reserved as ever, did not seem `
` at all inclined to throw himself into this lake. `
` `
` The first few days of the voyage passed prosperously, amid favourable `
` weather and propitious winds, and they soon came in sight of `
` the great Andaman, the principal of the islands in the Bay of Bengal, `
` with its picturesque Saddle Peak, two thousand four hundred feet high, `
` looming above the waters. The steamer passed along near the shores, `
` but the savage Papuans, who are in the lowest scale of humanity, `
` but are not, as has been asserted, cannibals, did not make their appearance. `
` `
` The panorama of the islands, as they steamed by them, was superb. `
` Vast forests of palms, arecs, bamboo, teakwood, of the gigantic mimosa, `
` and tree-like ferns covered the foreground, while behind, the graceful outlines `
` of the mountains were traced against the sky; and along the coasts swarmed `
` by thousands the precious swallows whose nests furnish a luxurious dish `
` to the tables of the Celestial Empire. The varied landscape afforded by `
` the Andaman Islands was soon passed, however, and the Rangoon rapidly `
` approached the Straits of Malacca, which gave access to the China seas. `
` `
` What was detective Fix, so unluckily drawn on from country to country, `
` doing all this while? He had managed to embark on the Rangoon at Calcutta `
` without being seen by Passepartout, after leaving orders that, `
` if the warrant should arrive, it should be forwarded to him at Hong Kong; `
` and he hoped to conceal his presence to the end of the voyage. `
` It would have been difficult to explain why he was on board `
` without awakening Passepartout's suspicions, who thought him still at Bombay. `
` But necessity impelled him, nevertheless, to renew his acquaintance `
` with the worthy servant, as will be seen. `
` `
` All the detective's hopes and wishes were now centred on Hong Kong; `
` for the steamer's stay at Singapore would be too brief to enable `
` him to take any steps there. The arrest must be made at Hong Kong, `
` or the robber would probably escape him for ever. Hong Kong was `
` the last English ground on which he would set foot; beyond, China, `
` Japan, America offered to Fogg an almost certain refuge. `
` If the warrant should at last make its appearance at Hong Kong, `
` Fix could arrest him and give him into the hands of the local police, `
` and there would be no further trouble. But beyond Hong Kong, `
` a simple warrant would be of no avail; an extradition warrant `
` would be necessary, and that would result in delays and obstacles, `
` of which the rascal would take advantage to elude justice. `
` `
` Fix thought over these probabilities during the long hours `
` which he spent in his cabin, and kept repeating to himself, `
` "Now, either the warrant will be at Hong Kong, in which case `
` I shall arrest my man, or it will not be there; and this time `
` it is absolutely necessary that I should delay his departure. `
` I have failed at Bombay, and I have failed at Calcutta; if I fail `
` at Hong Kong, my reputation is lost: Cost what it may, I must succeed! `
` But how shall I prevent his departure, if that should turn out to be `
` my last resource?" `
` `
` Fix made up his mind that, if worst came to worst, he would make `
` a confidant of Passepartout, and tell him what kind of a fellow `
` his master really was. That Passepartout was not Fogg's accomplice, `
` he was very certain. The servant, enlightened by his disclosure, `
` and afraid of being himself implicated in the crime, would doubtless `
` become an ally of the detective. But this method was a dangerous one, `
` only to be employed when everything else had failed. A word from `
` Passepartout to his master would ruin all. The detective was therefore `
` in a sore strait. But suddenly a new idea struck him. The presence `
` of Aouda on the Rangoon, in company with Phileas Fogg, gave him `
` new material for reflection. `
` `
` Who was this woman? What combination of events had made her Fogg's `
` travelling companion? They had evidently met somewhere between Bombay `
` and Calcutta; but where? Had they met accidentally, or had Fogg gone `
` into the interior purposely in quest of this charming damsel? `
` Fix was fairly puzzled. He asked himself whether there had not `
` been a wicked elopement; and this idea so impressed itself `
` upon his mind that he determined to make use of the supposed intrigue. `
` Whether the young woman were married or not, he would be able to create `
` such difficulties for Mr. Fogg at Hong Kong that he could not escape `
` by paying any amount of money. `
` `
` But could he even wait till they reached Hong Kong? Fogg had an `
` abominable way of jumping from one boat to another, and, before anything `
` could be effected, might get full under way again for Yokohama. `
` `
` Fix decided that he must warn the English authorities, and signal `
` the Rangoon before her arrival. This was easy to do, since the steamer `
` stopped at Singapore, whence there is a telegraphic wire to Hong Kong. `
` He finally resolved, moreover, before acting more positively, `
` to question Passepartout. It would not be difficult to make him talk; `
` and, as there was no time to lose, Fix prepared to make himself known. `
` `
` It was now the 30th of October, and on the following day the Rangoon `
` was due at Singapore. `
` `
` `
` Fix emerged from his cabin and went on deck. Passepartout was `
` promenading up and down in the forward part of the steamer. `
` The detective rushed forward with every appearance of extreme `
` surprise, and exclaimed, "You here, on the Rangoon?" `
` `
` "What, Monsieur Fix, are you on board?" returned the really `
` astonished Passepartout, recognising his crony of the Mongolia. `
` "Why, I left you at Bombay, and here you are, on the way to Hong Kong! `
` Are you going round the world too?" `
` `
` "No, no," replied Fix; "I shall stop at Hong Kong--at least for some days." `
` `
` "Hum!" said Passepartout, who seemed for an instant perplexed. `
` "But how is it I have not seen you on board since we left Calcutta?" `
` `
` "Oh, a trifle of sea-sickness--I've been staying in my berth. `
` The Gulf of Bengal does not agree with me as well as the Indian Ocean. `
` And how is Mr. Fogg?" `
` `
` "As well and as punctual as ever, not a day behind time! `
` But, Monsieur Fix, you don't know that we have a young lady with us." `
` `
` "A young lady?" replied the detective, not seeming to comprehend `
` what was said. `
` `
` Passepartout thereupon recounted Aouda's history, the affair `
` at the Bombay pagoda, the purchase of the elephant for `
` two thousand pounds, the rescue, the arrest, and sentence `
` of the Calcutta court, and the restoration of Mr. Fogg `
` and himself to liberty on bail. Fix, who was familiar `
` with the last events, seemed to be equally ignorant of all `
` that Passepartout related; and the later was charmed `
` to find so interested a listener. `
` `
` "But does your master propose to carry this young woman to Europe?" `
` `
` "Not at all. We are simply going to place her under the protection `
` of one of her relatives, a rich merchant at Hong Kong." `
` `
` "Nothing to be done there," said Fix to himself, concealing his disappointment. `
` "A glass of gin, Mr. Passepartout?" `
` `
` "Willingly, Monsieur Fix. We must at least have a friendly glass `
` on board the Rangoon." `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter XVII `
` `
` SHOWING WHAT HAPPENED ON THE VOYAGE FROM SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG `
` `
` `
` The detective and Passepartout met often on deck after this interview, `
` though Fix was reserved, and did not attempt to induce his companion `
` to divulge any more facts concerning Mr. Fogg. He caught a glimpse `
` of that mysterious gentleman once or twice; but Mr. Fogg usually confined `
` himself to the cabin, where he kept Aouda company, or, according to his `
` inveterate habit, took a hand at whist. `
` `
` Passepartout began very seriously to conjecture what strange `
` chance kept Fix still on the route that his master was pursuing. `
` It was really worth considering why this certainly very amiable `
` and complacent person, whom he had first met at Suez, had then `
` encountered on board the Mongolia, who disembarked at Bombay, `
` which he announced as his destination, and now turned up so `
` unexpectedly on the Rangoon, was following Mr. Fogg's tracks step `
` by step. What was Fix's object? Passepartout was ready to wager his `
` Indian shoes--which he religiously preserved--that Fix would also leave `
` Hong Kong at the same time with them, and probably on the same steamer. `
` `
` Passepartout might have cudgelled his brain for a century without `
` hitting upon the real object which the detective had in view. `
` He never could have imagined that Phileas Fogg was being tracked `
` as a robber around the globe. But, as it is in human nature to attempt `
` the solution of every mystery, Passepartout suddenly discovered `
` an explanation of Fix's movements, which was in truth far from unreasonable. `
` Fix, he thought, could only be an agent of Mr. Fogg's friends `
` at the Reform Club, sent to follow him up, and to ascertain `
` that he really went round the world as had been agreed upon. `
` `
` "It's clear!" repeated the worthy servant to himself, proud of his shrewdness. `
` "He's a spy sent to keep us in view! That isn't quite the thing, either, `
` to be spying Mr. Fogg, who is so honourable a man! Ah, gentlemen of the Reform, `
` this shall cost you dear!" `
` `
` Passepartout, enchanted with his discovery, resolved to say `
` nothing to his master, lest he should be justly offended at this `
` mistrust on the part of his adversaries. But he determined `
` to chaff Fix, when he had the chance, with mysterious allusions, `
` which, however, need not betray his real suspicions. `
` `
` During the afternoon of Wednesday, 30th October, the Rangoon `
` entered the Strait of Malacca, which separates the peninsula `
` of that name from Sumatra. The mountainous and craggy islets `
` intercepted the beauties of this noble island from the view `
` of the travellers. The Rangoon weighed anchor at Singapore the next day `
` at four a.m., to receive coal, having gained half a day on the prescribed `
` time of her arrival. Phileas Fogg noted this gain in his journal, and then, `
` accompanied by Aouda, who betrayed a desire for a walk on shore, disembarked. `
` `
`