Calcuttawasreachedatseveninthemorning,andthepacketleftforHongKongatnoon;sothatPhileasFogghadfivehoursbeforehim。
Accordingtohisjournal,hewasdueatCalcuttaonthe25thofOctober,andthatwastheexactdateofhisactualarrival。Hewasthereforeneitherbehind-handnoraheadoftime。ThetwodaysgainedbetweenLondonandBombayhadbeenlost,ashasbeenseen,inthejourneyacrossIndia。ButitisnottobesupposedthatPhileasFoggregrettedthem。
CHAPTERXVINWHICHTHEBAGOFBANK-NOTESDISGORGESSOMETHOUSANDSOFPOUNDSMORE。
Thetrainenteredthestation,andPassepartout,jumpingoutfirst,wasfollowedbyMrFogg,whoassistedhisfaircompaniontodescend。PhileasFoggintendedtoproceedatoncetotheHongKongsteamer,inordertogetAoudacomfortablysettledforthevoyage。Hewasunwillingtoleaveherwhiletheywerestillondangerousground。
Justasliewasleavingthestationapolicemancameuptohim,andsaid,`MrPhileasFogg?'
`Iamhe。'
`Isthismanyourservant?'addedthepoliceman,pointingtoPassepartout。
`Yes。'
`Besogood,bothofyou,astofollowme。'
MrFoggbetrayednosurprisewhatever。Thepolicemanwasarepresentativeofthelaw,andlawissacredtoanEnglishman。Passepartouttriedtoreasonaboutthematter,butthepolicemantappedhimwithhisstick,andMrFoggmadehimasignaltoobey。
`Maythisyoungladygowithus?'askedhe。`Shemay,'repliedthepoliceman。
MrFogg,AoudaandPassepartoutwereconductedtoa`palki-gari',asortoffour-wheeledcarriage,drawnbytwohorses,inwhichtheytooktheirplacesandweredrivenaway。Noonespokeduringthetwentyminuteswhichelapsedbeforetheyreachedtheirdestination。Theyfirstpassedthroughthe`blacktown',withitsnarrowstreets,itsmiserable,dirtyhuts,andsqualidpopulation;thenthroughthe`Europeantown',whichpresentedareliefinitsbrightbrickmansions,shadedbycoconut-treesandbristlingwithmasts,where,althoughitwasearlymorning,elegantlydressedhorsemenandhandsomeequipageswerepassingbackandforth。
Thecarriagestoppedbeforeamodest-lookinghouse,which,however,didnothavetheappearanceofaprivatemansion。Thepolicemanhavingrequestedhisprisoners-forso,truly,theymightbecalled-todescend,conductedthemintoaroomwithbarredwindows,andsaid:`YouwillappearbeforeJudgeObadiahathalf-pasteight。'
Hethenretired,andclosedthedoor。
`Why,weareprisoners!'exclaimedPassepartout,fallingintoachair。
Aouda,withanemotionshetriedtoconceal,saidtoMrFogg:`Sir,youmustleavemetomyfate!Itisonmyaccountthatyoureceivethistreatment;itisforhavingsavedme!'
PhileasFoggcontentedhimselfwithsayingthatitwasimpossible。Itwasquiteunlikelythatheshouldbearrestedforpreventingasuttee。
Thecomplainantswouldnotdarepresentthemselveswithsuchacharge。
Therewassomemistake。Moreover,hewouldnotinanyeventabandonAouda,butwouldescorthertoHongKong。
`Butthesteamerleavesatnoon!'observedPassepartout,nervously。
`Weshallbeonboardbynoon,'repliedhismaster,placidly。
Itwassaidsopositively,thatPassepartoutcouldnothelpmutteringtohimself,`Parbleu,that'scertain!Beforenoonweshallbeonboard。'
Buthewasbynomeansreassured。
Athalf-pasteightthedooropened,thepolicemanappeared,and,requestingthemtofollowhim,ledthewaytoanadjoininghall。Itwasevidentlyacourt-room,andacrowdofEuropeansandnativesalreadyoccupiedtherearoftheapartment。
MrFoggandhistwocompanionstooktheirplacesonabenchoppositethedesksofthemagistrateandhisclerk。Immediatelyafter,JudgeObadiah,afat,roundman,followedbytheclerk,entered。Heproceededtotakedownawigwhichwashangingonanail,andputithurriedlyonhishead。
`Thefirstcase,'saidhe;then,puttinghishandtohishead,heexclaimed,`Heh!Thisisnotmywig!'
`No,yourworship,'returnedtheclerk,`itismine。'
`MydearMrOysterpuff,howcanajudgegiveawisesentenceinaclerk'swig?'
Thewigswereexchanged。
Passepartoutwasgettingnervous,forthehandsonthefaceofthebigclockoverthejudgeseemedtogoroundwithterriblerapidity。
`Thefirstcase,'repeatedJudgeObadiah。
`PhileasFogg?'demandedOysterpuff。
`Iamhere,'repliedMrFogg。
`Passepartout?'
`Present!'respondedPassepartout。
`Good,'saidthejudge。`Youhavebeenlookedfor,prisoners,fortwodaysonthetrainsfromBombay。'
`Butofwhatareweaccused?'askedPassepartout,impatiently。
`Youareabouttobeinformed。'
`IamanEnglishsubject,sir,'saidMrFogg,`andIhavetheright——'
`Haveyoubeenill-treated?'
`Notatall。'
`Verywell;letthecomplainantscomein。'
AdoorwasswungopenbyorderofthejudgeandthreeIndianpriestsentered。
`That'sit,'mutteredPassepartout;`thesearetherogueswhoweregoingtoburnouryounglady。'
Theprieststooktheirplacesinfrontofthejudge,andtheclerkproceededtoreadinaloudvoice,acomplaintofsacrilegeagainstPhileasFoggandhisservant,whowereaccusedofhavingviolatedaplaceheldconsecratedbytheBrahminreligion。
`Youhearthecharge?'askedthejudge。
`Yes,sir,'repliedMrFogg,consultinghiswatch,andIadmitit。'
`Youadmitit?'
`Iadmitit,andIwishtohearthesepriestsadmit,intheirturn,whattheyweregoingtodoatthepagodaofPillaji。'
Thepriestslookedateachother;theydidnotseemtounderstandwhatwassaid。
`Yes,'criedPassepartout,warmly;`atthepagodaofPillaji,wheretheywereonthepointofburningtheirvictim。'
Thejudgestaredwithastonishment,andthepriestswerestupefied。
`Whatvictim?'saidJudgeObadiah。`Burnwhom?InBombayitself?'
`Bombay?'criedPassepartout。
`Certainly。WearenottalkingofthepagodaofPillaji,butofthepagodaofMalabarHill,atBombay。'
`Andasaproof,'addedtheclerk,`herearethedesecrator'sveryshoes,whichheleftbehindhim。'
Whereuponheplacedapairofshoesonhisdesk。
`Myshoes!'criedPassepartout,inhissurprisepermittingthisimprudentexclamationtoescapehim。
Theconfusionofmasterandman,whohadquiteforgottentheaffairatBombay,forwhichtheywerenowdetainedatCalcutta,maybeimagined。
Fix,thedetective,hadforeseentheadvantagewhichPassepartout'sescapadegavehim,and,delayinghisdeparturefortwelvehours,hadconsultedthepriestsofMalabarHill。KnowingthattheEnglishauthoritiesdealtveryseverelywiththiskindofmisdemeanour,hepromisedthemagoodlysumindamages,andsentthemforwardtoCalcuttabythenexttrain。Owingtothedelaycausedbytherescueoftheyoungwidow,FixandthepriestsreachedtheIndiancapitalbeforeMrFoggandhisservants,themagistrateshavingbeenalreadywarnedbyadespatchtoarrestthgmshouldtheyarrive。
Fix'sdisappointmentwhenhelearnedthatPhileasFogghadnotmadehisappearanceinCalcutta,maybeimagined。Hemadeuphismindthattherobberhadstoppedsomewhereontherouteandtakenrefugeinthesouthernprovinces。
Fortwenty-fourhoursFixwatchedthestationwithfeverishanxiety;atlasthewasrewardedbyseeingMrFoggandPassepartoutarrive,accompaniedbyayoungwoman,whosepresencehewaswhollyatalosstoexplain。Hehastenedforapoliceman;andthiswashowthepartycametobearrestedandbroughtbeforeJudgeObadiah。
HadPassepartoutbeenalittlelesspreoccupied,hewouldhaveespiedthedetectiveensconcedinacornerofthecourt-room,watchingtheproceedingswithaninteresteasilyunderstood;forthewarranthadfailedtoreachhimatCalcutta,asithaddoneatBombayandSuez。
JudgeObadiahhadunfortunatelycaughtPassepartout'srashexclamation,whichthepoorfellowwouldhavegiventheworldtorecall。
`Thefactsareadmitted?'askedthejudge。
`Admitted,'repliedMrFogg,coldly。
`Inasmuch,'resumedthejudge,`astheEnglishlawprotectsequallyandsternlythereligionsoftheIndianpeople,andasthemanPassepartouthasadmittedthatheviolatedthesacredpagodaofMalabarHill,atBombay,onthe20thofOctober,IcondemnthesaidPassepartouttoimprisonmentforfifteendaysandafineofthreehundredpounds。'
`Threehundredpounds!'criedPassepartout,startledatthelargenessofthesum。
`Silence!'shoutedtheconstable。
`Andinasmuch,'continuedthejudge,`asitisnotprovedthattheactwasnotdonebytheconnivanceofthemasterwiththeservant,andasthemasterinanycasemustbeheldresponsiblefortheactsofhispaidservant,IcondemnPhileasFoggtoaweek'simprisonmentandafineofonehundredandfiftypounds。'
Fixrubbedhishandssoftlywithsatisfaction;ifPhileasFoggcouldbedetainedinCalcuttaaweek,itwouldbemorethantimeforthewarranttoarrive。Passepartoutwasstupefied。Thissentenceruinedhismaster。
Awageroftwentythousandpoundslost,becausehe,likeapreciousfool,hadgoneintothatabominablepagoda!
PhileasFogg,asself-composedasifthejudgmentdidnotintheleastconcernhim,didnotevenlifthiseyebrowswhileitwasbeingpronounced。
Justastheclerkwascallingthenextcase,herose,andsaid,`Iofferbail。'
`Youhavethatright,'returnedthejudge。
Fix'sbloodrancold,butheresumedhiscomposurewhenheheardthejudgeannouncethatthebailrequiredforeachprisonerwouldbeonethousandpounds。
`Iwillpayitatonce,'saidMrFogg,takingarollofbank-billsfromthecarpet-bag,whichPassepartouthadbyhim,andplacingthemontheclerk'sdesk。
`Thissumwillberestoredtoyouuponyourreleasefromprison,'saidthejudge。`Meanwhile,youareliberatedonbail。'
`Come!'saidPhileasFoggtohisservant。
`Butletthematleastgivemebackmyshoes!'criedPassepartout,angrily。
`Ah,theseareprettydearshoes!'hemuttered,astheywerehandedtohim。`Morethanathousandpoundsapiece;besides,theypinchmyfeet。'
MrFogg,offeringhisarmtoAouda,thendeparted,followedbythecrestfallenPassepartout。Fixstillnourishedhopesthattherobberwouldnot,afterall,leavethetwothousandpoundsbehindhim,butwoulddecidetoserveouthisweekinjail,andissuedforthonMrFogg'straces。Thatgentlemantookacarriage,andthepartyweresoonlandedononeofthequays。
The`Rangoon'wasmooredhalfamileoffintheharbour,itssignalofdeparturehoistedatthemast-head。Eleveno'clockwasstriking;MrFoggwasanhourinadvanceoftime。Fixsawthemleavethecarriageandpushoffinaboatforthesteamer,andstampedhisfeetwithdisappointment。
`Therascalisoff,afterall!'heexclaimed。`Twothousandpoundssacrificed!
He'sasprodigalasathief!I'llfollowhimtotheendoftheworldifnecessary;butattheratehe'sgoingon,thestolenmoneywillsoonbeexhausted。'
Thedetectivewasnotfarwronginmakingthisconjecture。SinceleavingLondon,whatwithtravellingexpenses,bribes,thepurchaseoftheelephant,bailsandfines,MrFogghadalreadyspentmorethanfivethousandpoundsontheway,andthepercentageofthesumrecoveredfromthebankrobber,promisedtothedetectives,wasrapidlydiminishing。
CHAPTERXVIINWHICHFIXDOESNOTSEEMTOUNDERSTANDINTHELEASTWHATISSAIDTOHIM。
The`Rangoon'-oneofthePeninsularandOrientalCompany'sboatsplyingintheChineseandJapaneseseas-wasascrewsteamer,builtofiron,weighingaboutseventeenhundredandseventytons,andwithenginesoffourhundredhorse-power。Shewasasfast,butnotaswellfittedup,asthe`Mongolia',andAoudawasnotascomfortablyprovidedforonboardofherasPhileasFoggcouldhavewished。However,thetripfromCalcuttatoHongKongonlycomprisedsomethreethousandfivehundredmiles,occupyingfromtentotwelvedays,andtheyoungwomanwasnotdifficulttoplease。
DuringthefirstdaysofthejourneyAoudabecamebetteracquaintedwithherprotector,andconstantlygaveevidenceofherdeepgratitudeforwhathehaddone。Thephlegmaticgentlemanlistenedtoher,apparentlyatleast,withcoldness,neitherhisvoicenorhismannerbetrayingtheslightestemotion;butheseemedtobealwaysonthewatchthatnothingshouldbewantingtoAouda'scomfort。Hevisitedherregularlyeachdayatcertainhours,notsomuchtotalkhimselfastositandhearhertalk。
Hetreatedherwiththestrictestpoliteness,butwiththeprecisionofanautomaton,themovementsofwhichhadbeenarrangedforthispurpose。
Aoudadidnotquiteknowwhattomakeofhim,thoughPassepartouthadgivenhersomehintsofhismaster'seccentricity,andmadehersmilebytellingherofthewagerwhichwassendinghimroundtheworld。Afterall,sheowedPhileasFoggherlife,andshealwaysregardedhimthroughtheexaltingmediumofhergratitude。
AoudaconfirmedtheParseeguide'snarrativeofhertouchinghistory。
Shedidndeed,belongtothehighestofthenativeracesofIndia。ManyoftheParseemerchantshavemadegreatfortunestherebydealingincotton;
andoneofthem,SirJametseeJeejeebhoy,wasmadeabaronetbytheEnglishgovernment。Aoudawasarelativeofthisgreatman,anditwashiscousinJeejeeh,whomshehopedtojoinatHongKong。Whethershewouldfindaprotectorinhimshecouldnottell;butMrFoggessayedtocalmheranxieties,andtoassureherthateverythingwouldbemathematically-heusedtheveryword-arranged。Aoudafastenedhergreateyes,`clearasthesacredlakesoftheHimalaya',uponhim;buttheintractableFogg,asreservedasever,didnotseematallinclinedtothrowhimselfintothislake。
Thefirstfewdaysofthevoyagepassedprosperously,amidfavourableweatherandpropitiouswinds,andtheysooncameinsightofthegreatAndaman,theprincipaloftheislandsintheBayofBengal,withitspicturesqueSaddlePeak,twothousandfourhundredfeethigh,loomingabovethewaters。
Thesteamerpassedalongneartheshores,butthesavagePapuans,whoareinthelowestscaleofhumanity,butarenot,ashasbeenasserted,cannibals,didnotmaketheirappearance。
Thepanoramaoftheislands,astheysteamedbythem,wassuperb。Vastforestsofpalms,arecs,bamboo,teakwood,ofthegiganticmimosa,andtree-likefernscoveredtheforeground,whilebehind,thegracefuloutlinesofthemountainsweretracedagainstthesky;andalongthecoastsswarmedbythousandsthepreciousswallowswhosenestsfurnishaluxuriousdishtothetablesoftheCelestialEmpire。ThevariedlandscapeaffordedbytheAndamanIslandswassoonpassed,however,andthe`Rangoon'rapidlyapproachedtheStraitsofMalacca,whichgiveaccesstotheChinaseas。
WhatwasdetectiveFix,sounluckilydrawnonfromcountrytocountry,doingallthiswhile?Hehadmanagedtoembarkonthe`Rangoon'atCalcuttawithoutbeingseenbyPassepartout,afterleavingordersthat,ifthewarrantshouldarrive,itshouldbeforwardedtohimatHongKong;andhehopedtoconcealhispresencetotheendofthevoyage。ItwouldhavebeendifficulttoexplainwhyhewasonboardwithoutawakingPassepartout'ssuspicions,whothoughthimstillatBombay。Butnecessityimpelledhim,nevertheless,torenewhisacquaintancewiththeworthyservant,aswillbeseen。
Allthedetective'shopesandwisheswerenowcentredonHongKong;
forthesteamer'sstayatSingaporewouldbetoobrieftoenablehimtotakeanystepsthere。ThearrestmustbemadeatHongKong,ortherobberwouldprobablyescapehimforever。HongKongwasthelastEnglishgroundonwhichhewouldsetfoot;beyond,China,Japan,AmericaofferedtoFogganalmostcertainrefuge。IfthewarrantshouldatlastmakeitsappearanceatHongKong,Fixcouldarresthimandgivehimintothehandsofthelocalpolice,andtherewouldbenofurthertrouble。ButbeyondHongKong,asimplewarrantwouldbeofnoavail;anextraditionwarrantwouldbenecessary,andthatwouldresultindelaysandobstacles,ofwhichtherascalwouldtakeadvantagetoeludejustice。
Fixthoughtovertheseprobabilitiesduringthelonghourswhichhespentinhiscabin,andkeptrepeatingtohimself,`NoweitherthewarrantwillbeatHongKong,inwhichcaseIshallarrestmyman,oritwillnotbethere;andthistimeitisabsolutelynecessarythatIshoulddelayhisdeparture。IhavefailedatBombay,andIhavefailedatCalcutta:
ifIfailatHongKong,myreputationislost。Costwhatitmay,Imustsucceed!ButhowshallIpreventhisdeparture,ifthatshouldturnouttobemylastresource?'
Fixmadeuphismindthat,ifworstcametoworst,hewouldmakeaconfidantofPassepartout,andtellhimwhatkindofafellowhismasterreallywas。
ThatPassepartoutwasnotFogg'saccomplice,hewasverycertain。Theservant,enlightenedbyhisdisclosure,andafraidofbeinghimselfimplicatedinthecrime,woulddoubtlessbecomeanallyofthedetective。Butthismethodwasadangerousone,onlytobeemployedwheneverythingelsehadfailed。
AwordfromPassepartouttohismasterwouldruinall。Thedetectivewasthereforeinasorestrait。Butsuddenlyanewideastruckhim。ThepresenceofAoudaonthe`Rangoon',incompanywithPhileasFogg,gavehimnewmaterialforreflection。
Whowasthiswoman?WhatcombinationofeventshadmadeherFogg'stravellingcompanion?TheyhadevidentlymetsomewherebetweenBombayandCalcutta;
butwhere?Hadtheymetaccidentally,orhadFogggoneintotheinteriorpurposelyinquestofthischarmingdamsel?Fixwasfairlypuzzled。Heaskedhimselfwhethertherehadnotbeenawickedelopement;andthisideasoimpresseditselfuponhismindthathedeterminedtomakeuseofthesupposedintrigue。Whethertheyoungwomanweremarriedornot,hewouldbeabletocreatesuchdifficultiesforMrFoggatHongKong,thathecouldnotescapebypayinganyamountofmoney。
ButcouldheevenwaittilltheyreachedHongKong?Fogghadanabominablewayofjumpingfromoneboattoanother,and,beforeanythingcouldbeeffected,mightgetfullunderweighagainforYokohama。
FixdecidedthathemustwarntheEnglishauthorities,andSignalthe`Rangoon'beforeherarrival。Thiswaseasytodo,sincethesteamerstoppedatSingapore,whencethereisatelegraphicwiretoHongKong。Hefinallyresolved,moreover,beforeactingmorepositively,toquestionPassepartout。
Itwouldnotbedifficulttomakehimtalk;and,astherewasnotimetolose,Fixpreparedtomakehimselfknown。
Itwasnowthe30thofOctober,andonthefollowingdaythe`Rangoon'
wasdueatSingapore。
Fixemergedfromhiscabinandwentondeck。Passepartoutwaspromenadingupanddownintheforwardpartofthesteamer。Thedetectiverushedforwardwitheveryappearanceofextremesurprise,andexclaimed,`Youhere,onthe"Rangoon"?'
`What,MonsieurFix,areyouonboard?'returnedthereallyastonishedPassepartout,recognizinghiscronyofthe`Mongolia'。`Why,IleftyouatBombay,andhereyouare,onthewaytoHongKong!Areyougoingroundtheworldtoo?'
`No,no,'repliedFix;`IshallstopatHongKong-atleastforsomedays。'
`Hum!'saidPassepartout,whoseemedforaninstantperplexed。`ButhowisitIhavenotseenyouonboardsinceweleftCalcutta?'
`Oh,atrifleofseasickness,-I'vebeenstayinginmyberth。TheGulfofBengaldoesnotagreewithmeaswellastheIndianOcean。AndhowisMrFogg?'
`Aswellandaspunctualasever,notadaybehindtime!But,MonsieurFix,youdon'tknowthatwehaveayoungladywithus。'
`Ayounglady?'repliedthedetective,notseemingtocomprehendwhatwassaid。
PassepartoutthereuponrecountedAouda'shistory,theaffairattheBombaypagoda,thepurchaseoftheelephantfortwothousandpounds,therescue,thearrestandsentenceoftheCalcuttacourt,andtherestorationofMrFoggandhimselftolibertyonbail。Fix,whowasfamiliarwiththelastevents,seemedtobeequallyignorantofallthatPassepartoutrelated;
andthelatterwascharmedtofindsointerestedalistener。
`ButdoesyourmasterproposetocarrythisyoungwomantoEurope?'
`Notatall。Wearesimplygoingtoplaceherundertheprotectionofoneofherrelatives,arichmerchantatHongKong。'
`Nothingtobedonethere,'saidFixtohimself,concealinghisdisappointment。
`Aglassofgin,MrPassepartout?'
`Willingly,MonsieurFix。Wemustatleasthaveafriendlyglassonboardthe"Rangoon"。'
CHAPTERXVIISHOWINGWHATHAPPENEDONTHEVOYAGEFROMSINGAPORETOHONGKONG。
ThedetectiveandPassepartoutmetoftenondeckafterthisinterview,thoughFixwasreserved,anddidnotattempttoinducehiscompaniontodivulgeanymorefactsconcerningMrFogg。Hecaughtaglimpseofthatmysteriousgentlemanonceortwice;butMrFoggusuallyconfinedhimselftothecabin,wherehekeptAoudacompany,oraccordingtohisinveteratehabit,tookahandatwhist。
PassepartoutbeganveryseriouslytoconjecturewhatstrangechancekeptFixstillontheroutethathismasterwaspursuing。Itwasreallyworthconsideringwhythiscertainlyveryamiableandcomplacentperson,whomhehadfirstmetatSuez,hadthenencounteredonboardthe`Mongolia',whodisembarkedatBombay,whichheannouncedashisdestination,andnowturnedupsounexpectedlyonthe`Rangoon',wasfollowingMrFogg'stracksstepbystep。WhatwasFix'sobject?PassepartoutwasreadytowagerhisIndianshoes-whichhereligiouslypreserved-thatFixwouldalsoleaveHongKongatthesametimewiththem,andprobablyonthesamesteamer。
Passepartoutmighthavecudgelledhisbrainforacenturywithouthittingupontherealobjectwhichthedetectivehadinview。HenevercouldhaveimaginedthatPhileasFoggwasbeingtrackedasarobberaroundtheglobe。
Butasitisinhumannaturetoattemptthesolutionofeverymystery,PassepartoutsuddenlydiscoveredanexplanationofFix'smovements,whichwasintruthfarfromunreasonable。Fix,hethought,couldonlybeanagentofMrFogg'sfriendsattheReformClubssenttofollowhimup,andtoascertainthathereallywentroundtheworldashadbeenagreedupon。
`It'sclear!'repeatedtheworthyservanttohimself,proudofhisshrewdness。
`He'saspysenttokeepusinview!Thatisn'tquitethething,either,tobespyingMrFogg,whoissohonourableaman!Ah,gentlemenoftheReform,thisshallcostyoudear!'
Passepartout,enchantedwithhisdiscovery,resolvedtosaynothingtohismaster,lestheshouldbejustlyoffendedatthismistrustonthepartofhisadversaries。ButhedeterminedtochaffFix,whenhehadthechance,withmysteriousallusions,which,however,neednotbetrayhisrealsuspicions。
DuringtheafternoonofWednesday,October30th,the`Rangoon'enteredtheStraitofMalacca,whichseparatesthepeninsulaofthatnamefromSumatra。Themountainousandcraggyisletsinterceptedthebeautiesofthisnobleislandfromtheviewofthetravellers。The`Rangoon'weighedanchoratSingaporethenextdayatfoura。m。,toreceivecoal,havinggainedhalfadayontheprescribedtimeofherarrival。PhileasFoggnotedthisgaininhisjournal,andthen,accompaniedbyAouda,whobetrayedadesireforawalkonshore,disembarked。
Fix,whosuspectedMrFogg'severymovement,followedthemcautiously,withoutbeinghimselfperceived;whilePassepartout,laughinginhissleeveatFix'smanoeuvres,wentabouthisusualerrands。
TheislandofSingaporeisnotimposinginaspect,fortherearenomountains;yetitsappearanceisnotwithoutattractions。Itisaparkcheckeredbypleasanthighwaysandavenues。Ahandsomecarriage,drawnbyasleekpairofNewHollandhorses,carriedPhileasFoggandAoudaintothemidstofrowsofpalmswithbrilliantfoliage,andofclove-treeswhereoftheclovesformtheheartofahalf-openflower。PepperplantsreplacedthepricklyhedgesofEuropeanfields;sago-bushes,largefernswithgorgeousbranches,variedtheaspectofthistropicalclime;whilenutmeg-treesinfullfoliagefilledtheairwithapenetratingperfume。Agileandgrinningbandsofmonkeysskippedaboutinthetrees,norweretigerswantinginthejungles。
Afteradriveoftwohoursthroughthecountry,AoudaandMrFoggreturnedtothetown,whichisavastcollectionofheavy-looking,irregularhouses,surroundedbycharminggardensrichintropicalfruitsandplants;andatteno'clocktheyre-embarked,closelyfollowedbythedetective,whohadkeptthemconstantlyinsight。
Passepartout,whohadbeenpurchasingseveraldozenmangoes-afruitaslargeasgood-sizedapples,ofadark-browncolouroutsideandabrightredwithin,andwhosewhitepulp,meltinginthemouth,affordsgourmandsadelicioussensation-waswaitingforthemondeck。HewasonlytoogladtooffersomemangoestoAouda,whothankedhimverygracefullyforthem。
Ateleveno'clockthe`Rangoon'rodeoutofSingaporeharbour,andinafewhoursthehighmountainsofMalacca,withtheirforestsinhabitedbythemostbeautifully-tunedtigersintheworld,werelosttoview。SingaporeisdistantsomethirteenhundredmilesfromtheislandofHongKong,whichisalittleEnglishcolonyneartheChinesecoast。PhileasFogghopedtoaccomplishthejourneyinsixdays,soastobeintimeforthesteamerwhichwouldleaveonthe6thofNovemberforYokohama,theprincipalJapaneseport。
The`Rangoon'hadalargequotaofpassengers,manyofwhomdisembarkedatSingapore,amongthemanumberofIndians,Ceylonese,Chinamen,MalaysandPortuguese,mostlysecond-classtravellers。
Theweather,whichhadhithertobeenfine,changedwiththelastquarterofthemoon。Thesearolledheavily,andthewindatintervalsrosealmosttoastorm,buthappilyblewfromthesouth-west,andthusaidedthesteamer'sprogress。Thecaptainasoftenaspossibleputuphissails,andunderthedoubleactionofsteamandsailthevesselmaderapidprogressalongthecoastsofAnamandCochinChina。Owingtothedefectiveconstructionofthe`Rangoon',however,unusualprecautionsbecamenecessaryinunfavourableweather;butthelossoftimewhichresultedfromthiscause,whileitnearlydrovePassepartoutoutofhissenses,didnotseemtoaffecthismasterintheleast。Passepartoutblamedthecaptain,theengineerandthecrew,andconsignedallwhowereconnectedwiththeshiptothelandwherethepeppergrows。Perhapsthethoughtofthegas,whichwasremorselesslyburningathisexpenseinSavilleRow,hadsomethingtodowithhishotimpatience。
`Youareinagreathurry,then,'saidFixtohimoneday,`toreachHongKong?'
`Averygreathurry!'
`MrFogg,Isuppose,isanxioustocatchthesteamerforYokohama?'
`Terriblyanxious。'
`Youbelieveinthisjourneyaroundtheworld,then?'
`Absolutely。Don'tyou,MrFix?'
`I?Idon'tbelieveawordofit。'
`You'reaslydog!'saidPassepartout,winkingathim。
ThisexpressionratherdisturbedFix,withouthisknowingwhy。HadtheFrenchmanguessedhisrealpurpose?Heknewnotwhattothink。ButhowcouldPassepartouthavediscoveredthathewasadetective?Yet,inspeakingashedid,themanevidentlymeantmorethanheexpressed。
Passepartoutwentstillfurtherthenextday;hecouldnotholdhistongue。
`MrFix,'saidhe,inabanteringtone;`shallwebesounfortunateastoloseyouwhenwegettoHongKong?'
`Why,'respondedFix,alittleembarrassed,`Idon'tknow;perhaps——'
`Ah,ifyouwouldonlygoonwithus!AnagentofthePeninsularCompany,youknow,can'tstopontheway!YouwereonlygoingtoBombay,andhereyouareinChina。Americaisnotfaroff,andfromAmericatoEuropeisonlyastep。'
Fixlookedintentlyathiscompanion,whosecountenancewasassereneaspossible,andlaughedwithhim。ButPassepartoutpersistedinchaffinghimbyaskinghimifhemademuchbyhispresentoccupation。
`Yes,andno,'returnedFix;`thereisgoodandbadluckinsuchthings。
ButyoumustunderstandthatIdon'ttravelatmyownexpense。'
`Oh,Iamquitesureofthat!'criedPassepartout,laughingheartily。
Fix,fairlypuzzled,descendedtohiscabinandgavehimselfuptohisreflections。Hewasevidentlysuspected;somehoworothertheFrenchmanhadfoundoutthathewasadetective。Buthadhetoldhismaster?Whatpartwasheplayinginallthis:washeanaccompliceornot?Wasthegame,then,up?Fixspentseveralhoursturningthesethingsoverinhismind,sometimesthinkingthatallwaslost,thenpersuadinghimselfthatFoggwasignorantofhispresence,andthenundecidedwhatcourseitwasbesttotake。
Nevertheless,hepreservedhiscoolnessofmind,andatlastresolvedtodealplainlywithPassepartout。IfhedidnotfinditpracticabletoarrestFoggatHongKong,andifFoggmadepreparationstoleavethatlastfootholdofEnglishterritory,he,Fix,wouldtellPassepartoutall。Eithertheservantwastheaccompliceofhismaster,andinthiscasethemasterknewofhisoperations,andheshouldfail;orelsetheservantknewnothingabouttherobbery,andthenhisinterestwouldbetoabandontherobber。
SuchwasthesituationbetweenFixandPassepartout。MeanwhilePhileasFoggmovedaboutabovetheminthemostmajesticandunconsciousindifference。
Hewaspassingmethodicallyinhisorbitaroundtheworld,regardlessofthelesserstarswhichgravitatedaroundhim。Yettherewasnearbywhattheastronomerswouldcalladisturbingstar,whichmighthaveproducedanagitationinthisgentleman'sheart。Butno!thecharmsofAoudafailedtoact,toPassepartout'sgreatsurprise;andthedisturbances,iftheyexisted,wouldhavebeenmoredifficulttocalculatethanthoseofUranuswhichledtothediscoveryofNeptune。
ItwaseverydayanincreasingwondertoPassepartout,whoreadinAouda'seyesthedepthsofhergratitudetohismaster。PhileasFogg,thoughbraveandgallant,mustbe,hethought,quiteheartless。Astothesentimentwhichthisjourneymighthaveawakenedinhim,therewasclearlynotraceofsuchathing;whilepoorPassepartoutexistedinperpetualreveries。
Onedayhewasleaningontherailingoftheengine-room,andwasobservingtheengine,whenasuddenpitchofthesteamerthrewthescrewoutofthewater。Thesteamcamehissingoutofthevalves;andthismadePassepartoutindignant。
`Thevalvesarenotsufficientlycharged!'heexclaimed。`Wearenotgoing。Oh,theseEnglish!IfthiswasanAmericancraft,weshouldblowup,perhaps,butweshouldatalleventsgofaster!'
CHAPTERXVIIIINWHICHPHILEASFOGG,PASSEPARTOUT,ANDFIXGOEACHABOUTHISBUSINESS。
Theweatherwasbadduringthelatterdaysofthevoyage。Thewind,obstinatelyremaininginthenorth-west,blewagale,andretardedthesteamer。The`Rangoon'rolledheavily,andthepassengersbecameimpatientofthelong,monstrouswaveswhichthewindraisedbeforetheirpath。A
sortoftempestaroseonthe3rdofNovember,thesquallknockingthevesselaboutwithfury,andthewavesrunninghigh。The`Rangoon'reefedallhersails,andeventheriggingprovedtoomuch,whistlingandshakingamidthesquall。ThesteamerwasforcedtoproceedslowlyandthecaptainestimatedthatshewouldreachHongKongtwentyhoursbehindtime,andmoreifthestormlasted。
PhileasFogggazedatthetempestuoussea,whichseemedtobestrugglingespeciallytodelayhim,withhishabitualtranquility。Heneverchangedcountenanceforaninstant,thoughadelayoftwentyhours,bymakinghimtoolatefortheYokohamaboat,wouldalmostinevitablycausethelossofthewager。Butthismanofnervemanifestedneitherimpatiencenorannoyance;
itseemedasifthestormwereapartofhisprogramme,andhadbeenforeseen。
Aoudawasamazedtofindhimascalmashehadbeenfromthefirsttimeshesawhim。
Fixdidnotlookatthestateofthingsinthesamelight。Thestormgreatlypleasedhim。Hissatisfactionwouldhavebeencompletehadthe`Rangoon'beenforcedtoretreatbeforetheviolenceofwindandwaves。
Eachdelayfilledhimwithhope,foritbecamemoreandmoreprobablethatFoggwouldbeobligedtoremainsomedaysatHongKong;andnowtheheavensthemselvesbecamehisallies,withthegustsandsqualls。Itmatterednotthattheymadehimsea-sickhemadenoaccountofthisinconvenience;andwhilsthisbodywaswrithingundertheireffects,hisspiritboundedwithhopefulexultation。
Passepartoutwasenragedbeyondexpressionbytheunpropitiousweather。
Everythinghadgonesowelltillnow!Earthandseahadseemedtobeathismaster'sservice;steamersandrailwaysobeyedhim;windandsteamunitedtospeedhisjourney。Hadthehourofadversitycome?Passepartoutwasasmuchexcitedasifthetwentythousandpoundsweretocomefromhisownpocket。Thestormexasperatedhim,thegalemadehimfurious,andhelongedtolashtheobstinateseaintoobedience。Poorfellow!Fixcarefullyconcealedfromhimhisownsatisfaction,for,hadhebetrayedit,Passepartoutcouldscarcelyhaverestrainedhimselffrompersonalviolence。
Passepartoutremainedondeckaslongasthetempestlasted,beingunabletoremainquietbelow,andtakingitintohisheadtoaidtheprogressoftheshipbylendingahandwiththecrew。Heover-whelmedthecaptain,officersandsailors,whocouldnothelplaughingathisimpatience,withallsortsofquestions。Hewantedtoknowexactlyhowlongthestormwasgoingtolast;whereuponhewasreferredtothebarometer,whichseemedtohavenointentionofrising。Passepartoutshookit,butwithnoperceptibleeffect;forneithershakingnormaledictionscouldprevailuponittochangeitsmind。
Onthe4th,however,theseabecamemorecalm,andthestormlesseneditsviolence;thewindveeredsouthwards,andwasoncemorefavourable。
Passepartoutcheeredupwiththeweather。Someofthesailswereunfurled,andthe`Rangoon'resumeditsmostrapidspeed。Thetimelostcouldnot,however,beregained。Landwasnotsignalleduntilfiveo'clockonthemorningofthe6th;thesteamerwasdueonthe5th。PhileasFoggwastwenty-fourhoursbehind-hand,andtheYokohamasteamerwould,ofcourse,bemissed。
Thepilotwentonboardatsix,andtookhisplaceonthebridge,toguidethe`Rangoon'throughthechannelstotheportofHongKong。PassepartoutlongedtoaskhimifthesteamerhadleftforYokohama;buthedarednot,forhewishedtopreservethesparkofhope,whichstillremained,tillthelastmoment。HehadconfidedhisanxietytoFix,who-theslyrascal!-
triedtoconsolehimbysayingthatMrFoggwouldbeintimeifhetookthenextboat;butthisonlyputPassepartoutinapassion。
MrFogg,bolderthanhisservant,didnothesitatetoapproachthepilot,andtranquillyaskhimifheknewwhenasteamerwouldleaveHongKongforYokohama。
`Athightidetomorrowmorning,'answeredthepilot。
`Ah!'saidMrFogg,withoutbetrayinganyastonishment。
Passepartout,whoheardwhatpassed,wouldwillinglyhaveembracedthepilot,whileFixwouldhavebeengladtotwisthisneck。
`Whatisthesteamer'sname?'askedMrFogg。
`The"Carnatic"。'
`Oughtshenottohavegoneyesterday?'
`Yes,sir;buttheyhadtorepaironeofherboilers,andsoherdeparturewaspostponedtilltomorrow。'
`Thankyou,'returnedMrFogg,descendingmathematicallytothesaloon。
Passepartoutclaspedthepilot'shandandshookitheartilyinhisdelight,exclaiming,`Pilot,youarethebestofgoodfellows!'
Thepilotprobablydoesnotknowtothisdaywhyhisresponseswonhimthisenthusiasticgreeting。Heremountedthebridge,andguidedthesteamerthroughtheflotillaofjunks,tankasandfishingboatswhichcrowdtheharbourofHongKong。
Atoneo'clockthe`Rangoon'wasatthequay,andthepassengersweregoingashore。
ChancehadstrangelyfavouredPhileasFogg,for,hadnotthe`Carnatic'
beenforcedtolieoverforrepairingherboilers,shewouldhaveleftonthe6thofNovember,andthepassengersforJapanwouldhavebeenobligedtoawaitforaweekthesailingofthenextsteamer。MrFoggwas,itistrue,twenty-fourhoursbehindhistime;butthiscouldnotseriouslyimperiltheremainderofhistour。
ThesteamerwhichcrossedthePacificfromYokohamatoSanFranciscomadeadirectconnexionwiththatfromHongKong,anditcouldnotsailuntilthelatterreachedYokohama;andifMrFoggwastwenty-fourhourslateonreachingYokohama,thistimewouldnodoubtbeeasilyregainedinthevoyageoftwenty-twodaysacrossthePacific。Hefoundhimself,then,abouttwenty-fourhoursbehindhand,thirty-fivedaysafterleavingLondon。
The`Carnatic'wasannouncedtoleaveHongKongatfivethenextmorning。
MrFogghadsixteenhoursinwhichtoattendtohisbusinessthere,whichwastodepositAoudasafelywithherwealthyrelative。
Onlanding,heconductedhertoapalanquin,inwhichtheyrepairedtotheClubHotel。Aroomwasengagedfortheyoungwoman,andMrFogg,afterseeingthatshewantedfornothing,setoutinsearchofhercousinJeejeeh。HeinstructedPassepartouttoremainatthehoteluntilhisreturn,thatAoudamightnotbeleftentirelyalone。
MrFoggrepairedtotheExchange,where,hedidnotdoubt,everyonewouldknowsowealthyandconsiderableapersonageastheParseemerchant。
Meetingabroker,hemadetheinquiry,tolearnthatJeejeehhadleftChinatwoyearsbefore,and,retiringfrombusinesswithanimmensefortune,hadtakenuphisresidenceinEurope-inHolland,thebrokerthought,withthemerchantsofwhichcountryhehadprincipallytraded。PhileasFoggreturnedtothehotel,beggedamoment'sconversationwithAouda,and,withoutmoreado,apprisedherthatJeejeehwasnolongeratHongKong,butprobablyinHolland。
Aoudaatfirstsaidnothing。Shepassedherhandacrossherforehead,andreftedafewmoments。Then,inhersweet,softvoice,shesaid:`WhatoughtItodo,MrFogg?'
`Itisverysimple,'respondedthegentleman。`GoontoEurope。'
`ButIcannotintrude——'
`Youdonotintrude,nordoyouintheleastembarrassmyproject。Passepartout!'
`Monsieur。'
`Gotothe"Carnatic",andengagethreecabins。'
Passepartout,delightedthattheyoungwoman,whowasverygracioustohim,wasgoingtocontinuethejourneywiththem,wentoffatabriskgaittoobeyhismaster'sorder。
CHAPTERXIXINWHICHPASSEPARTOUTTAKESATOOGREATINTERESTINHISMASTER,ANDWHAT
COMESOFIT。
HongKongisanislandwhichcameintothepassessionoftheEnglishbythetreatyofNankin,afterthewarof1842;andthecolonizinggeniusoftheEnglishhascreateduponitanimportantcityandanexcellentport。
TheislandissituatedatthemouthoftheCantonRiver,andisseparatedbyaboutsixtymilesfromthePortuguesetownofMacao,ontheoppositecoast。HongKonghasbeatenMacaointhestrugglefortheChinesetrade,andnowthegreaterpartofthetransportationofChinesegoodsfindsitsdepotattheformerplace。Docks,hospitals,wharves,aGothiccathedral,agovernmenthouse,macadamizedstreetsgivetoHongKongtheappearanceofatowninKentorSurreytransferredbysomestrangemagictotheantipodes。
Passepartoutwandered,withhishandsinhispockets,towardstheVictoriaport,gazingashewentatthecuriouspalanquinsandothermodesofconveyance,andthegroupsofChinese,JapaneseandEuropeanswhopassedtoandfrointhestreets。HongKongseemedtohimnotunlikeBombay,CalcuttaandSingapore,since,likethem,itbetrayedeverywheretheevidenceofEnglishsupremacy。AttheVictoriaporthefoundaconfusedmassofshipsofallnations:English,French,AmericanandDutch,men-of-warandtradingvessels,JapaneseandChinesejunks,sempas,tankasandflower-boats,whichformedsomanyfloatingparterres。Passepartoutnoticedinthecrowdanumberofthenativeswhoseemedveryoldandweredressedinyellow。Ongoingintoabarber'stogetshavedhelearnedthattheseancientmenwereallatleasteightyyearsold,atwhichagetheyarepermittedtowearyellow,whichistheImperialcolour。Passepartout,withoutexactlyknowingwhy,thoughtthisveryfunny。
Onreachingthequaywheretheyweretoembarkonthe`Carnatic',hewasnotastonishedtofindFixwalkingupanddown。Thedetectiveseemedverymuchdisturbedanddisappointed。
`Thisisbad,'mutteredPassepartout,`forthegentlemenoftheReformClub!'HeaccostedFixwithamerrysmile,asifhehadnotperceivedthatgentleman'schagrin。Thedetectivehad,indeed,goodreasonstoinveighagainstthebadluckwhichpursuedhim。Thewarranthadnotcome!Itwascertainlyontheway,butascertainlyitcouldnotnowreachHongKongforseveraldays;andthisbeingthelastEnglishterritoryonMrFogg'sroute,therobberwouldescape,unlesshecouldmanagetodetainhim。
`Well,MonsieurFix,'saidPassepartout,`haveyoudecidedtogoonwithusasfarasAmerica?'
`Yes,'returnedFix,throughhissetteeth。`Good!'exclaimedPassepartout,laughingheartily。`Iknewyoucouldnotpersuadeyourselftoseparatefromus。Comeandengageyourberth。'
Theyenteredthesteamerofficeandsecuredcabinsforfourpersons。
Theclerk,ashegavethemthetickets,informedthemthat,therepairsonthe`Carnatic'havingbeencompleted,thesteamerwouldleavethatveryevening,andnotnextmorningashadbeenannounced。
`Thatwillsuitmymasterallthebetter,'saidPassepartout。`Iwillgoandlethimknow。'
Fixnowdecidedtomakeaboldmove;heresolvedtotellPassepartoutall。ItseemedtobetheonlypossiblemeansofkeepingPhileasFoggseveraldayslongeratHongKong。Heaccordinglyinvitedhiscompanionintoatavernwhichcaughthiseyeonthequay。Onentering,theyfoundthemselvesinalargeroomhandsomelydecorated,attheendofwhichwasalargecampbedfurnishedwithcushions。Severalpersonslayuponthisbedinadeepsleep。