Reading Help Around the world in eighty days Ch.I-VI
`
` "But where is your master going?" `
` `
` "Always straight ahead. He is going round the world." `
` `
` "Round the world?" cried Fix. `
` `
` "Yes, and in eighty days! He says it is on a wager; but, between us, `
` I don't believe a word of it. That wouldn't be common sense. `
` There's something else in the wind." `
` `
` "Ah! Mr. Fogg is a character, is he?" `
` `
` "I should say he was." `
` `
` "Is he rich?" `
` `
` "No doubt, for he is carrying an enormous sum in brand new `
` banknotes with him. And he doesn't spare the money on the way, `
` either: he has offered a large reward to the engineer of the `
` Mongolia if he gets us to Bombay well in advance of time." `
` `
` "And you have known your master a long time?" `
` `
` "Why, no; I entered his service the very day we left London." `
` `
` The effect of these replies upon the already suspicious `
` and excited detective may be imagined. The hasty departure `
` from London soon after the robbery; the large sum carried by Mr. Fogg; `
` his eagerness to reach distant countries; the pretext of an `
` eccentric and foolhardy bet--all confirmed Fix in his theory. `
` He continued to pump poor Passepartout, and learned that he really `
` knew little or nothing of his master, who lived a solitary `
` existence in London, was said to be rich, though no one knew `
` whence came his riches, and was mysterious and impenetrable `
` in his affairs and habits. Fix felt sure that Phileas Fogg `
` would not land at Suez, but was really going on to Bombay. `
` `
` "Is Bombay far from here?" asked Passepartout. `
` `
` "Pretty far. It is a ten days' voyage by sea." `
` `
` "And in what country is Bombay?" `
` `
` "India." `
` `
` "In Asia?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "The deuce! I was going to tell you there's one thing that worries me-- `
` my burner!" `
` `
` "What burner?" `
` `
` "My gas-burner, which I forgot to turn off, and which is at `
` this moment burning at my expense. I have calculated, monsieur, `
` that I lose two shillings every four and twenty hours, exactly `
` sixpence more than I earn; and you will understand that the longer `
` our journey--" `
` `
` Did Fix pay any attention to Passepartout's trouble about the gas? `
` It is not probable. He was not listening, but was cogitating a project. `
` Passepartout and he had now reached the shop, where Fix left his companion `
` to make his purchases, after recommending him not to miss the steamer, `
` and hurried back to the consulate. Now that he was fully convinced, `
` Fix had quite recovered his equanimity. `
` `
` "Consul," said he, "I have no longer any doubt. I have spotted my man. `
` He passes himself off as an odd stick who is going round the world `
` in eighty days." `
` `
` "Then he's a sharp fellow," returned the consul, "and counts on `
` returning to London after putting the police of the two countries `
` off his track." `
` `
` "We'll see about that," replied Fix. `
` `
` "But are you not mistaken?" `
` `
` "I am not mistaken." `
` `
` "Why was this robber so anxious to prove, by the visa, `
` that he had passed through Suez?" `
` `
` "Why? I have no idea; but listen to me." `
` `
` He reported in a few words the most important parts `
` of his conversation with Passepartout. `
` `
` "In short," said the consul, "appearances are wholly against this man. `
` And what are you going to do?" `
` `
` "Send a dispatch to London for a warrant of arrest to be dispatched `
` instantly to Bombay, take passage on board the Mongolia, follow my rogue `
` to India, and there, on English ground, arrest him politely, with my warrant `
` in my hand, and my hand on his shoulder." `
` `
` Having uttered these words with a cool, careless air, the detective `
` took leave of the consul, and repaired to the telegraph office, `
` whence he sent the dispatch which we have seen to the London police office. `
` A quarter of an hour later found Fix, with a small bag in his hand, `
` proceeding on board the Mongolia; and, ere many moments longer, `
` the noble steamer rode out at full steam upon the waters of the Red Sea. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter IX `
` `
` IN WHICH THE RED SEA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN PROVE PROPITIOUS `
` TO THE DESIGNS OF PHILEAS FOGG `
` `
` `
` The distance between Suez and Aden is precisely thirteen hundred `
` and ten miles, and the regulations of the company allow the `
` steamers one hundred and thirty-eight hours in which to traverse it. `
` The Mongolia, thanks to the vigorous exertions of the engineer, `
` seemed likely, so rapid was her speed, to reach her destination `
` considerably within that time. The greater part of the passengers `
` from Brindisi were bound for India some for Bombay, others for Calcutta `
` by way of Bombay, the nearest route thither, now that a railway crosses `
` the Indian peninsula. Among the passengers was a number of officials `
` and military officers of various grades, the latter being either attached `
` to the regular British forces or commanding the Sepoy troops, `
` and receiving high salaries ever since the central `
` government has assumed the powers of the East India Company: `
` for the sub-lieutenants get 280 pounds, brigadiers, 2,400 pounds, `
` and generals of divisions, 4,000 pounds. What with the military men, `
` a number of rich young Englishmen on their travels, and the hospitable `
` efforts of the purser, the time passed quickly on the Mongolia. `
` The best of fare was spread upon the cabin tables at breakfast, `
` lunch, dinner, and the eight o'clock supper, and the ladies `
` scrupulously changed their toilets twice a day; and the hours `
` were whirled away, when the sea was tranquil, with music, dancing, and games. `
` `
` But the Red Sea is full of caprice, and often boisterous, like most long `
` and narrow gulfs. When the wind came from the African or Asian coast `
` the Mongolia, with her long hull, rolled fearfully. Then the ladies `
` speedily disappeared below; the pianos were silent; singing and dancing `
` suddenly ceased. Yet the good ship ploughed straight on, unretarded by wind `
` or wave, towards the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb. What was Phileas Fogg `
` doing all this time? It might be thought that, in his anxiety, he would `
` be constantly watching the changes of the wind, the disorderly raging `
` of the billows--every chance, in short, which might force the Mongolia `
` to slacken her speed, and thus interrupt his journey. But, if he thought `
` of these possibilities, he did not betray the fact by any outward sign. `
` `
` Always the same impassible member of the Reform Club, whom no `
` incident could surprise, as unvarying as the ship's chronometers, `
` and seldom having the curiosity even to go upon the deck, he passed `
` through the memorable scenes of the Red Sea with cold indifference; `
` did not care to recognise the historic towns and villages which, `
` along its borders, raised their picturesque outlines against the sky; `
` and betrayed no fear of the dangers of the Arabic Gulf, which the old `
` historians always spoke of with horror, and upon which the ancient `
` navigators never ventured without propitiating the gods by ample sacrifices. `
` How did this eccentric personage pass his time on the Mongolia? He made his `
` four hearty meals every day, regardless of the most persistent rolling `
` and pitching on the part of the steamer; and he played whist indefatigably, `
` for he had found partners as enthusiastic in the game as himself. `
` A tax-collector, on the way to his post at Goa; the Rev. Decimus Smith, `
` returning to his parish at Bombay; and a brigadier-general of the English army, `
` who was about to rejoin his brigade at Benares, made up the party, and, `
` with Mr. Fogg, played whist by the hour together in absorbing silence. `
` `
` As for Passepartout, he, too, had escaped sea-sickness, and took his meals `
` conscientiously in the forward cabin. He rather enjoyed the voyage, `
` for he was well fed and well lodged, took a great interest in the scenes `
` through which they were passing, and consoled himself with the delusion `
` that his master's whim would end at Bombay. He was pleased, on the day after `
` leaving Suez, to find on deck the obliging person with whom he had walked `
` and chatted on the quays. `
` `
` "If I am not mistaken," said he, approaching this person, with his most `
` amiable smile, "you are the gentleman who so kindly volunteered `
` to guide me at Suez?" `
` `
` "Ah! I quite recognise you. You are the servant of the strange Englishman--" `
` `
` "Just so, monsieur--" `
` `
` "Fix." `
` `
` "Monsieur Fix," resumed Passepartout, "I'm charmed to find you on board. `
` Where are you bound?" `
` `
` "Like you, to Bombay." `
` `
` "That's capital! Have you made this trip before?" `
` `
` "Several times. I am one of the agents of the Peninsular Company." `
` `
` "Then you know India?" `
` `
` "Why yes," replied Fix, who spoke cautiously. `
` `
` "A curious place, this India?" `
` `
` "Oh, very curious. Mosques, minarets, temples, fakirs, pagodas, tigers, `
`
` "But where is your master going?" `
` `
` "Always straight ahead. He is going round the world." `
` `
` "Round the world?" cried Fix. `
` `
` "Yes, and in eighty days! He says it is on a wager; but, between us, `
` I don't believe a word of it. That wouldn't be common sense. `
` There's something else in the wind." `
` `
` "Ah! Mr. Fogg is a character, is he?" `
` `
` "I should say he was." `
` `
` "Is he rich?" `
` `
` "No doubt, for he is carrying an enormous sum in brand new `
` banknotes with him. And he doesn't spare the money on the way, `
` either: he has offered a large reward to the engineer of the `
` Mongolia if he gets us to Bombay well in advance of time." `
` `
` "And you have known your master a long time?" `
` `
` "Why, no; I entered his service the very day we left London." `
` `
` The effect of these replies upon the already suspicious `
` and excited detective may be imagined. The hasty departure `
` from London soon after the robbery; the large sum carried by Mr. Fogg; `
` his eagerness to reach distant countries; the pretext of an `
` eccentric and foolhardy bet--all confirmed Fix in his theory. `
` He continued to pump poor Passepartout, and learned that he really `
` knew little or nothing of his master, who lived a solitary `
` existence in London, was said to be rich, though no one knew `
` whence came his riches, and was mysterious and impenetrable `
` in his affairs and habits. Fix felt sure that Phileas Fogg `
` would not land at Suez, but was really going on to Bombay. `
` `
` "Is Bombay far from here?" asked Passepartout. `
` `
` "Pretty far. It is a ten days' voyage by sea." `
` `
` "And in what country is Bombay?" `
` `
` "India." `
` `
` "In Asia?" `
` `
` "Certainly." `
` `
` "The deuce! I was going to tell you there's one thing that worries me-- `
` my burner!" `
` `
` "What burner?" `
` `
` "My gas-burner, which I forgot to turn off, and which is at `
` this moment burning at my expense. I have calculated, monsieur, `
` that I lose two shillings every four and twenty hours, exactly `
` sixpence more than I earn; and you will understand that the longer `
` our journey--" `
` `
` Did Fix pay any attention to Passepartout's trouble about the gas? `
` It is not probable. He was not listening, but was cogitating a project. `
` Passepartout and he had now reached the shop, where Fix left his companion `
` to make his purchases, after recommending him not to miss the steamer, `
` and hurried back to the consulate. Now that he was fully convinced, `
` Fix had quite recovered his equanimity. `
` `
` "Consul," said he, "I have no longer any doubt. I have spotted my man. `
` He passes himself off as an odd stick who is going round the world `
` in eighty days." `
` `
` "Then he's a sharp fellow," returned the consul, "and counts on `
` returning to London after putting the police of the two countries `
` off his track." `
` `
` "We'll see about that," replied Fix. `
` `
` "But are you not mistaken?" `
` `
` "I am not mistaken." `
` `
` "Why was this robber so anxious to prove, by the visa, `
` that he had passed through Suez?" `
` `
` "Why? I have no idea; but listen to me." `
` `
` He reported in a few words the most important parts `
` of his conversation with Passepartout. `
` `
` "In short," said the consul, "appearances are wholly against this man. `
` And what are you going to do?" `
` `
` "Send a dispatch to London for a warrant of arrest to be dispatched `
` instantly to Bombay, take passage on board the Mongolia, follow my rogue `
` to India, and there, on English ground, arrest him politely, with my warrant `
` in my hand, and my hand on his shoulder." `
` `
` Having uttered these words with a cool, careless air, the detective `
` took leave of the consul, and repaired to the telegraph office, `
` whence he sent the dispatch which we have seen to the London police office. `
` A quarter of an hour later found Fix, with a small bag in his hand, `
` proceeding on board the Mongolia; and, ere many moments longer, `
` the noble steamer rode out at full steam upon the waters of the Red Sea. `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter IX `
` `
` IN WHICH THE RED SEA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN PROVE PROPITIOUS `
` TO THE DESIGNS OF PHILEAS FOGG `
` `
` `
` The distance between Suez and Aden is precisely thirteen hundred `
` and ten miles, and the regulations of the company allow the `
` steamers one hundred and thirty-eight hours in which to traverse it. `
` The Mongolia, thanks to the vigorous exertions of the engineer, `
` seemed likely, so rapid was her speed, to reach her destination `
` considerably within that time. The greater part of the passengers `
` from Brindisi were bound for India some for Bombay, others for Calcutta `
` by way of Bombay, the nearest route thither, now that a railway crosses `
` the Indian peninsula. Among the passengers was a number of officials `
` and military officers of various grades, the latter being either attached `
` to the regular British forces or commanding the Sepoy troops, `
` and receiving high salaries ever since the central `
` government has assumed the powers of the East India Company: `
` for the sub-lieutenants get 280 pounds, brigadiers, 2,400 pounds, `
` and generals of divisions, 4,000 pounds. What with the military men, `
` a number of rich young Englishmen on their travels, and the hospitable `
` efforts of the purser, the time passed quickly on the Mongolia. `
` The best of fare was spread upon the cabin tables at breakfast, `
` lunch, dinner, and the eight o'clock supper, and the ladies `
` scrupulously changed their toilets twice a day; and the hours `
` were whirled away, when the sea was tranquil, with music, dancing, and games. `
` `
` But the Red Sea is full of caprice, and often boisterous, like most long `
` and narrow gulfs. When the wind came from the African or Asian coast `
` the Mongolia, with her long hull, rolled fearfully. Then the ladies `
` speedily disappeared below; the pianos were silent; singing and dancing `
` suddenly ceased. Yet the good ship ploughed straight on, unretarded by wind `
` or wave, towards the straits of Bab-el-Mandeb. What was Phileas Fogg `
` doing all this time? It might be thought that, in his anxiety, he would `
` be constantly watching the changes of the wind, the disorderly raging `
` of the billows--every chance, in short, which might force the Mongolia `
` to slacken her speed, and thus interrupt his journey. But, if he thought `
` of these possibilities, he did not betray the fact by any outward sign. `
` `
` Always the same impassible member of the Reform Club, whom no `
` incident could surprise, as unvarying as the ship's chronometers, `
` and seldom having the curiosity even to go upon the deck, he passed `
` through the memorable scenes of the Red Sea with cold indifference; `
` did not care to recognise the historic towns and villages which, `
` along its borders, raised their picturesque outlines against the sky; `
` and betrayed no fear of the dangers of the Arabic Gulf, which the old `
` historians always spoke of with horror, and upon which the ancient `
` navigators never ventured without propitiating the gods by ample sacrifices. `
` How did this eccentric personage pass his time on the Mongolia? He made his `
` four hearty meals every day, regardless of the most persistent rolling `
` and pitching on the part of the steamer; and he played whist indefatigably, `
` for he had found partners as enthusiastic in the game as himself. `
` A tax-collector, on the way to his post at Goa; the Rev. Decimus Smith, `
` returning to his parish at Bombay; and a brigadier-general of the English army, `
` who was about to rejoin his brigade at Benares, made up the party, and, `
` with Mr. Fogg, played whist by the hour together in absorbing silence. `
` `
` As for Passepartout, he, too, had escaped sea-sickness, and took his meals `
` conscientiously in the forward cabin. He rather enjoyed the voyage, `
` for he was well fed and well lodged, took a great interest in the scenes `
` through which they were passing, and consoled himself with the delusion `
` that his master's whim would end at Bombay. He was pleased, on the day after `
` leaving Suez, to find on deck the obliging person with whom he had walked `
` and chatted on the quays. `
` `
` "If I am not mistaken," said he, approaching this person, with his most `
` amiable smile, "you are the gentleman who so kindly volunteered `
` to guide me at Suez?" `
` `
` "Ah! I quite recognise you. You are the servant of the strange Englishman--" `
` `
` "Just so, monsieur--" `
` `
` "Fix." `
` `
` "Monsieur Fix," resumed Passepartout, "I'm charmed to find you on board. `
` Where are you bound?" `
` `
` "Like you, to Bombay." `
` `
` "That's capital! Have you made this trip before?" `
` `
` "Several times. I am one of the agents of the Peninsular Company." `
` `
` "Then you know India?" `
` `
` "Why yes," replied Fix, who spoke cautiously. `
` `
` "A curious place, this India?" `
` `
` "Oh, very curious. Mosques, minarets, temples, fakirs, pagodas, tigers, `
`