on for exultation; for the hands of his watch would then, instead of as now indicating nine o'clock in the morning, indicate nine o'clock in the evening, that is the twenty-first hour after midnight, precisely the difference between London time and that of the one hundred and eightieth meridian. But if Fix had been able to explain this purely physical effect, Passepartout would not have admitted, even if he had comprehended it. Moreover, if the detective had been on board at that moment, Passepartout would have joined issue with him on a quite different subject, and in an entirely different manner.

Where was Fix at that moment?

He was actually on board the `General Grant'.

On reaching Yokohama, the detective, leaving Mr Fogg, whom he expected to meet again during the day, had repaired at once to the English consulate, where he at last found the warrant of arrest. It had followed him from Bombay, and had come by the `Carnatic', on which steamer he himself was sub posed to be. Fix's disappointment may be imagined when he reflected that the warrant was now useless.

Mr Fogg had left English ground, and it was now necessary to procure his extradition!

`Well,' thought Fix, after a moment of anger, `my warrant is not good here, but it will be in England. The rogue evidently intends to return to his own country, thinking he has thrown the police off his track. Good! I will follow him across the Atlantic. As for the money, Heaven grant there may be some left! But the fellow has already spent in travelling, rewards, trials, bail, elephants, and all sorts of charges, more than five thousand pounds. Yet, after all, the Bank is rich!'

His course decided on, he went on board the `General Grant', and was there when Mr Fogg and Aouda arrived. To his utter amazement, he recognized Passepartout, despite his theatrical disguise. He quicKly concealed himself in his cabin, to avoid an awkward explanation, and hoped - thanks to the number of passengers - to remain unperceived by Mr Fogg's servant.

On that very day, however, he met Passepartout face to face on the forward deck. The latter, without a word, made a rush for him, grasped him by the throat, and, much to the amusement of a group of Americans, who immediately began to bet on him, administered to the detective a perfect volley of blows, which proved the great superiority of French over English pugilistic skill.

When Passepartout had finished, he found himself relieved and comforted. Fix got up in a somewhat rumpled condition, and, looking at his adversary, coldly said, `Have you done?'

`For this time - yes.'

`Then let me have a word with you.'

`But!--'

`In your master's interest.'

Passepartout seemed to be vanquished by Fix's coolness, for he quietly followed him, and they sat down aside from the rest of the passengers.

`You have given me a thrashing,' said Fix. `Good, I expected it. Now, listen to me. Up to this time I have been Mr Fogg's adversary. I am now in his game.'

`Aha!' cried Passepartout; `you are convinced he is an honest man?'

`No,' replied Fix coldly, `I think him a rascal. Sh! don't budge, and let me speak. As long as Mr Fogg was on English ground, it was for my interest to detain him there until my warrant of arrest arrived. I did everything I could to keep him back. I sent the Bombay priests after him, I got you intoxicated at Hong Kong, I se

上一页  [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] 下一页