Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.I-VI
The commissioner of police was sitting in his office at nine o'clock `
` one evening, when the following telegraphic dispatch was put into his hands: `
` `
` Suez to London. `
` `
` Rowan, Commissioner of Police, Scotland Yard: `
` `
` I've found the bank robber, Phileas Fogg. Send with out delay warrant `
` of arrest to Bombay. `
` `
` Fix, Detective. `
` `
` The effect of this dispatch was instantaneous. The polished gentleman `
` disappeared to give place to the bank robber. His photograph, which was `
` hung with those of the rest of the members at the Reform Club, `
` was minutely examined, and it betrayed, feature by feature, `
` the description of the robber which had been provided to the police. `
` The mysterious habits of Phileas Fogg were recalled; his solitary ways, `
` his sudden departure; and it seemed clear that, in undertaking a tour `
` round the world on the pretext of a wager, he had had no other end in view `
` than to elude the detectives, and throw them off his track. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter VI `
` `
` IN WHICH FIX, THE DETECTIVE, BETRAYS A VERY NATURAL IMPATIENCE `
` `
` `
` The circumstances under which this telegraphic dispatch about `
` Phileas Fogg was sent were as follows: `
` `
` The steamer Mongolia, belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Company, `
` built of iron, of two thousand eight hundred tons burden, and five hundred `
` horse-power, was due at eleven o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, the 9th of October, `
` at Suez. The Mongolia plied regularly between Brindisi and Bombay via `
` the Suez Canal, and was one of the fastest steamers belonging to the company, `
` always making more than ten knots an hour between Brindisi and Suez, `
` and nine and a half between Suez and Bombay. `
` `
` Two men were promenading up and down the wharves, among the crowd `
` of natives and strangers who were sojourning at this once straggling village-- `
` now, thanks to the enterprise of M. Lesseps, a fast-growing town. One was `
` the British consul at Suez, who, despite the prophecies of the `
` English Government, and the unfavourable predictions of Stephenson, `
` was in the habit of seeing, from his office window, English ships `
` daily passing to and fro on the great canal, by which the old roundabout `
` route from England to India by the Cape of Good Hope was abridged `
` by at least a half. The other was a small, slight-built personage, `
` with a nervous, intelligent face, and bright eyes peering out `
` from under eyebrows which he was incessantly twitching. `
` He was just now manifesting unmistakable signs of impatience, `
` nervously pacing up and down, and unable to stand still for a moment. `
` This was Fix, one of the detectives who had been dispatched from England `
` in search of the bank robber; it was his task to narrowly watch every `
` passenger who arrived at Suez, and to follow up all who seemed to `
` be suspicious characters, or bore a resemblance to the description `
` of the criminal, which he had received two days before from the `
` police headquarters at London. The detective was evidently inspired `
` by the hope of obtaining the splendid reward which would be the prize `
` of success, and awaited with a feverish impatience, easy to understand, `
` the arrival of the steamer Mongolia. `
` `
` `
` "So you say, consul," asked he for the twentieth time, "that this steamer `
` is never behind time?" `
` `
` "No, Mr. Fix," replied the consul. "She was bespoken yesterday at Port Said, `
` and the rest of the way is of no account to such a craft. I repeat that `
` the Mongolia has been in advance of the time required by the company's `
` regulations, and gained the prize awarded for excess of speed." `
` `
` "Does she come directly from Brindisi?" `
` `
` "Directly from Brindisi; she takes on the Indian mails there, `
` and she left there Saturday at five p.m. Have patience, Mr. Fix; `
` she will not be late. But really, I don't see how, from the `
` description you have, you will be able to recognise your man, `
` even if he is on board the Mongolia." `
` `
` "A man rather feels the presence of these fellows, consul, `
` than recognises them. You must have a scent for them, `
` and a scent is like a sixth sense which combines hearing, `
` seeing, and smelling. I've arrested more than one of these gentlemen `
` in my time, and, if my thief is on board, I'll answer for it; `
` he'll not slip through my fingers." `
` `
` "I hope so, Mr. Fix, for it was a heavy robbery." `
` `
` "A magnificent robbery, consul; fifty-five thousand pounds! `
` We don't often have such windfalls. Burglars are getting to be so `
` contemptible nowadays! A fellow gets hung for a handful of shillings!" `
` `
` "Mr. Fix," said the consul, "I like your way of talking, and hope `
` you'll succeed; but I fear you will find it far from easy. `
` Don't you see, the description which you have there has `
` a singular resemblance to an honest man?" `
` `
` "Consul," remarked the detective, dogmatically, "great robbers `
` always resemble honest folks. Fellows who have rascally faces `
` have only one course to take, and that is to remain honest; `
` otherwise they would be arrested off-hand. The artistic thing is, `
` to unmask honest countenances; it's no light task, I admit, `
` but a real art." `
` `
` Mr. Fix evidently was not wanting in a tinge of self-conceit. `
` `
` Little by little the scene on the quay became more animated; `
` sailors of various nations, merchants, ship-brokers, porters, fellahs, `
` bustled to and fro as if the steamer were immediately expected. `
` The weather was clear, and slightly chilly. The minarets of the town `
` loomed above the houses in the pale rays of the sun. A jetty pier, `
` some two thousand yards along, extended into the roadstead. `
` A number of fishing-smacks and coasting boats, some retaining `
` the fantastic fashion of ancient galleys, were discernible on the Red Sea. `
` `
` As he passed among the busy crowd, Fix, according to habit, `
` scrutinised the passers-by with a keen, rapid glance. `
` `
` It was now half-past ten. `
` `
` "The steamer doesn't come!" he exclaimed, as the port clock struck. `
` `
` "She can't be far off now," returned his companion. `
` `
` "How long will she stop at Suez?" `
` `
` "Four hours; long enough to get in her coal. It is thirteen hundred `
` and ten miles from Suez to Aden, at the other end of the Red Sea, `
` and she has to take in a fresh coal supply." `
` `
` "And does she go from Suez directly to Bombay?" `
` `
` "Without putting in anywhere." `
` `
` "Good!" said Fix. "If the robber is on board he will no doubt `
` get off at Suez, so as to reach the Dutch or French colonies in `
` Asia by some other route. He ought to know that he would not be `
` safe an hour in India, which is English soil." `
` `
` "Unless," objected the consul, "he is exceptionally shrewd. `
` An English criminal, you know, is always better concealed `
` in London than anywhere else." `
` `
` This observation furnished the detective food for thought, `
` and meanwhile the consul went away to his office. Fix, left alone, `
` was more impatient than ever, having a presentiment that the `
` robber was on board the Mongolia. If he had indeed left London `
` intending to reach the New World, he would naturally take the `
` route via India, which was less watched and more difficult `
` to watch than that of the Atlantic. But Fix's reflections were `
` soon interrupted by a succession of sharp whistles, which announced `
` the arrival of the Mongolia. The porters and fellahs rushed `
` down the quay, and a dozen boats pushed off from the shore to go `
` and meet the steamer. Soon her gigantic hull appeared passing `
` along between the banks, and eleven o'clock struck as she anchored `
` in the road. She brought an unusual number of passengers, `
` some of whom remained on deck to scan the picturesque panorama `
` of the town, while the greater part disembarked in the boats, `
` and landed on the quay. `
` `
` Fix took up a position, and carefully examined each face `
` and figure which made its appearance. Presently one of `
` the passengers, after vigorously pushing his way through the `
` importunate crowd of porters, came up to him and politely asked if `
` he could point out the English consulate, at the same time showing `
` a passport which he wished to have visaed. Fix instinctively took `
` the passport, and with a rapid glance read the description `
` of its bearer. An involuntary motion of surprise nearly escaped him, `
` for the description in the passport was identical with that of the `
` bank robber which he had received from Scotland Yard. `
` `
` "Is this your passport?" asked he. `
` `
` "No, it's my master's." `
` `
` "And your master is--" `
` `
` "He stayed on board." `
` `
` "But he must go to the consul's in person, so as to establish his identity." `
` `
` "Oh, is that necessary?" `
` `
` "Quite indispensable." `
` `
` "And where is the consulate?" `
` `
` "There, on the corner of the square," said Fix, pointing to `
` a house two hundred steps off. `
` `
` "I'll go and fetch my master, who won't be much pleased, however, `
` to be disturbed." `
` `
` The passenger bowed to Fix, and returned to the steamer. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter VII `
`
` one evening, when the following telegraphic dispatch was put into his hands: `
` `
` Suez to London. `
` `
` Rowan, Commissioner of Police, Scotland Yard: `
` `
` I've found the bank robber, Phileas Fogg. Send with out delay warrant `
` of arrest to Bombay. `
` `
` Fix, Detective. `
` `
` The effect of this dispatch was instantaneous. The polished gentleman `
` disappeared to give place to the bank robber. His photograph, which was `
` hung with those of the rest of the members at the Reform Club, `
` was minutely examined, and it betrayed, feature by feature, `
` the description of the robber which had been provided to the police. `
` The mysterious habits of Phileas Fogg were recalled; his solitary ways, `
` his sudden departure; and it seemed clear that, in undertaking a tour `
` round the world on the pretext of a wager, he had had no other end in view `
` than to elude the detectives, and throw them off his track. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter VI `
` `
` IN WHICH FIX, THE DETECTIVE, BETRAYS A VERY NATURAL IMPATIENCE `
` `
` `
` The circumstances under which this telegraphic dispatch about `
` Phileas Fogg was sent were as follows: `
` `
` The steamer Mongolia, belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Company, `
` built of iron, of two thousand eight hundred tons burden, and five hundred `
` horse-power, was due at eleven o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, the 9th of October, `
` at Suez. The Mongolia plied regularly between Brindisi and Bombay via `
` the Suez Canal, and was one of the fastest steamers belonging to the company, `
` always making more than ten knots an hour between Brindisi and Suez, `
` and nine and a half between Suez and Bombay. `
` `
` Two men were promenading up and down the wharves, among the crowd `
` of natives and strangers who were sojourning at this once straggling village-- `
` now, thanks to the enterprise of M. Lesseps, a fast-growing town. One was `
` the British consul at Suez, who, despite the prophecies of the `
` English Government, and the unfavourable predictions of Stephenson, `
` was in the habit of seeing, from his office window, English ships `
` daily passing to and fro on the great canal, by which the old roundabout `
` route from England to India by the Cape of Good Hope was abridged `
` by at least a half. The other was a small, slight-built personage, `
` with a nervous, intelligent face, and bright eyes peering out `
` from under eyebrows which he was incessantly twitching. `
` He was just now manifesting unmistakable signs of impatience, `
` nervously pacing up and down, and unable to stand still for a moment. `
` This was Fix, one of the detectives who had been dispatched from England `
` in search of the bank robber; it was his task to narrowly watch every `
` passenger who arrived at Suez, and to follow up all who seemed to `
` be suspicious characters, or bore a resemblance to the description `
` of the criminal, which he had received two days before from the `
` police headquarters at London. The detective was evidently inspired `
` by the hope of obtaining the splendid reward which would be the prize `
` of success, and awaited with a feverish impatience, easy to understand, `
` the arrival of the steamer Mongolia. `
` `
` `
` "So you say, consul," asked he for the twentieth time, "that this steamer `
` is never behind time?" `
` `
` "No, Mr. Fix," replied the consul. "She was bespoken yesterday at Port Said, `
` and the rest of the way is of no account to such a craft. I repeat that `
` the Mongolia has been in advance of the time required by the company's `
` regulations, and gained the prize awarded for excess of speed." `
` `
` "Does she come directly from Brindisi?" `
` `
` "Directly from Brindisi; she takes on the Indian mails there, `
` and she left there Saturday at five p.m. Have patience, Mr. Fix; `
` she will not be late. But really, I don't see how, from the `
` description you have, you will be able to recognise your man, `
` even if he is on board the Mongolia." `
` `
` "A man rather feels the presence of these fellows, consul, `
` than recognises them. You must have a scent for them, `
` and a scent is like a sixth sense which combines hearing, `
` seeing, and smelling. I've arrested more than one of these gentlemen `
` in my time, and, if my thief is on board, I'll answer for it; `
` he'll not slip through my fingers." `
` `
` "I hope so, Mr. Fix, for it was a heavy robbery." `
` `
` "A magnificent robbery, consul; fifty-five thousand pounds! `
` We don't often have such windfalls. Burglars are getting to be so `
` contemptible nowadays! A fellow gets hung for a handful of shillings!" `
` `
` "Mr. Fix," said the consul, "I like your way of talking, and hope `
` you'll succeed; but I fear you will find it far from easy. `
` Don't you see, the description which you have there has `
` a singular resemblance to an honest man?" `
` `
` "Consul," remarked the detective, dogmatically, "great robbers `
` always resemble honest folks. Fellows who have rascally faces `
` have only one course to take, and that is to remain honest; `
` otherwise they would be arrested off-hand. The artistic thing is, `
` to unmask honest countenances; it's no light task, I admit, `
` but a real art." `
` `
` Mr. Fix evidently was not wanting in a tinge of self-conceit. `
` `
` Little by little the scene on the quay became more animated; `
` sailors of various nations, merchants, ship-brokers, porters, fellahs, `
` bustled to and fro as if the steamer were immediately expected. `
` The weather was clear, and slightly chilly. The minarets of the town `
` loomed above the houses in the pale rays of the sun. A jetty pier, `
` some two thousand yards along, extended into the roadstead. `
` A number of fishing-smacks and coasting boats, some retaining `
` the fantastic fashion of ancient galleys, were discernible on the Red Sea. `
` `
` As he passed among the busy crowd, Fix, according to habit, `
` scrutinised the passers-by with a keen, rapid glance. `
` `
` It was now half-past ten. `
` `
` "The steamer doesn't come!" he exclaimed, as the port clock struck. `
` `
` "She can't be far off now," returned his companion. `
` `
` "How long will she stop at Suez?" `
` `
` "Four hours; long enough to get in her coal. It is thirteen hundred `
` and ten miles from Suez to Aden, at the other end of the Red Sea, `
` and she has to take in a fresh coal supply." `
` `
` "And does she go from Suez directly to Bombay?" `
` `
` "Without putting in anywhere." `
` `
` "Good!" said Fix. "If the robber is on board he will no doubt `
` get off at Suez, so as to reach the Dutch or French colonies in `
` Asia by some other route. He ought to know that he would not be `
` safe an hour in India, which is English soil." `
` `
` "Unless," objected the consul, "he is exceptionally shrewd. `
` An English criminal, you know, is always better concealed `
` in London than anywhere else." `
` `
` This observation furnished the detective food for thought, `
` and meanwhile the consul went away to his office. Fix, left alone, `
` was more impatient than ever, having a presentiment that the `
` robber was on board the Mongolia. If he had indeed left London `
` intending to reach the New World, he would naturally take the `
` route via India, which was less watched and more difficult `
` to watch than that of the Atlantic. But Fix's reflections were `
` soon interrupted by a succession of sharp whistles, which announced `
` the arrival of the Mongolia. The porters and fellahs rushed `
` down the quay, and a dozen boats pushed off from the shore to go `
` and meet the steamer. Soon her gigantic hull appeared passing `
` along between the banks, and eleven o'clock struck as she anchored `
` in the road. She brought an unusual number of passengers, `
` some of whom remained on deck to scan the picturesque panorama `
` of the town, while the greater part disembarked in the boats, `
` and landed on the quay. `
` `
` Fix took up a position, and carefully examined each face `
` and figure which made its appearance. Presently one of `
` the passengers, after vigorously pushing his way through the `
` importunate crowd of porters, came up to him and politely asked if `
` he could point out the English consulate, at the same time showing `
` a passport which he wished to have visaed. Fix instinctively took `
` the passport, and with a rapid glance read the description `
` of its bearer. An involuntary motion of surprise nearly escaped him, `
` for the description in the passport was identical with that of the `
` bank robber which he had received from Scotland Yard. `
` `
` "Is this your passport?" asked he. `
` `
` "No, it's my master's." `
` `
` "And your master is--" `
` `
` "He stayed on board." `
` `
` "But he must go to the consul's in person, so as to establish his identity." `
` `
` "Oh, is that necessary?" `
` `
` "Quite indispensable." `
` `
` "And where is the consulate?" `
` `
` "There, on the corner of the square," said Fix, pointing to `
` a house two hundred steps off. `
` `
` "I'll go and fetch my master, who won't be much pleased, however, `
` to be disturbed." `
` `
` The passenger bowed to Fix, and returned to the steamer. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter VII `
`