Around the World in Eighty Days

  Chapter XX

  IN WHICH FIX COMES FACE TO FACE WITH PHILEAS FOGG

  While these events were passing at the opium-house, Mr. Fogg,unconscious of the danger he was in of losing the steamer, was quietlyescorting Aouda about the streets of the English quarter, making thenecessary purchases for the long voyage before them. It was all verywell for an Englishman like Mr. Fogg to make the tour of the world witha carpet-bag; a lady could not be expected to travel comfortably undersuch conditions. He acquitted his task with characteristic serenity,and invariably replied to the remonstrances of his fair companion, whowas confused by his patience and generosity:

  "It is in the interest of my journey--a part of my programme."

  The purchases made, they returned to the hotel, where they dined at asumptuously served table-d'hote; after which Aouda, shaking hands withher protector after the English fashion, retired to her room for rest.Mr. Fogg absorbed himself throughout the evening in the perusal of TheTimes and Illustrated London News.

  Had he been capable of being astonished at anything, it would have beennot to see his servant return at bedtime. But, knowing that thesteamer was not to leave for Yokohama until the next morning, he didnot disturb himself about the matter. When Passepartout did not appearthe next morning to answer his master's bell, Mr. Fogg, not betrayingthe least vexation, contented himself with taking his carpet-bag,calling Aouda, and sending for a palanquin.

  It was then eight o'clock; at half-past nine, it being then high tide,the Carnatic would leave the harbour. Mr. Fogg and Aouda got into thepalanquin, their luggage being brought after on a wheelbarrow, and halfan hour later stepped upon the quay whence they were to embark. Mr.Fogg then learned that the Carnatic had sailed the evening before. Hehad expected to find not only the steamer, but his domestic, and wasforced to give up both; but no sign of disappointment appeared on hisface, and he merely remarked to Aouda, "It is an accident, madam;nothing more."

  At this moment a man who had been observing him attentively approached.It was Fix, who, bowing, addressed Mr. Fogg: "Were you not, like me,sir, a passenger by the Rangoon, which arrived yesterday?"

  "I was, sir," replied Mr. Fogg coldly. "But I have not the honour--"

  "Pardon me; I thought I should find your servant here."

  "Do you know where he is, sir?" asked Aouda anxiously.

  "What!" responded Fix, feigning surprise. "Is he not with you?"

  "No," said Aouda. "He has not made his appearance since yesterday.Could he have gone on board the Carnatic without us?"

  "Without you, madam?" answered the detective. "Excuse me, did youintend to sail in the Carnatic?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "So did I, madam, and I am excessively disappointed. The Carnatic, itsrepairs being completed, left Hong Kong twelve hours before the statedtime, without any notice being given; and we must now wait a week foranother steamer."

  As he said "a week" Fix felt his heart leap for joy. Fogg detained atHong Kong for a week! There would be time for the warrant to arrive,and fortune at last favoured the representative of the law. His horrormay be imagined when he heard Mr. Fogg say, in his placid voice, "Butthere are other vessels besides the Carnatic, it seems to me, in theharbour of Hong Kong."

  And, offering his arm to Aouda, he directed his steps toward the docksin search of some craft about to start. Fix, stupefied, followed; itseemed as if he were attached to Mr. Fogg by an invisible thread.Chance, however, appeared really to have abandoned the man it hadhitherto served so well. For three hours Phileas Fogg wandered aboutthe docks, with the determination, if necessary, to charter a vessel tocarry him to Yokohama; but he could only find vessels which wereloading or unloading, and which could not therefore set sail. Fixbegan to hope again.

  But Mr. Fogg, far from being discouraged, was continuing his search,resolved not to stop if he had to resort to Macao, when he was accostedby a sailor on one of the wharves.

  "Is your honour looking for a boat?"

  "Have you a boat ready to sail?"

  "Yes, your honour; a pilot-boat--No. 43--the best in the harbour."

  "Does she go fast?"

  "Between eight and nine knots the hour. Will you look at her?"

  "Yes."

  "Your honour will be satisfied with her. Is it for a sea excursion?"

  "No; for a voyage."

  "A voyage?"

  "Yes, will you agree to take me to Yokohama?"

  The sailor leaned on the railing, opened his eyes wide, and said, "Isyour honour joking?"

  "No. I have missed the Carnatic, and I must get to Yokohama by the14th at the latest, to take the boat for San Francisco."

  "I am sorry," said the sailor; "but it is impossible."

  "I offer you a hundred pounds per day, and an additional reward of twohundred pounds if I reach Yokohama in time."

  "Are you in earnest?"

  "Very much so."

  The pilot walked away a little distance, and gazed out to sea,evidently struggling between the anxiety to gain a large sum and thefear of venturing so far. Fix was in mortal suspense.

  Mr. Fogg turned to Aouda and asked her, "You would not be afraid, wouldyou, madam?"

  "Not with you, Mr. Fogg," was her answer.

  The pilot now returned, shuffling his hat in his hands.

  "Well, pilot?" said Mr. Fogg.

  "Well, your honour," replied he, "I could not risk myself, my men, ormy little boat of scarcely twenty tons on so long a voyage at this timeof year. Besides, we could not reach Yokohama in time, for it issixteen hundred and sixty miles from Hong Kong."

  "Only sixteen hundred," said Mr. Fogg.

  "It's the same thing."

  Fix breathed more freely.

  "But," added the pilot, "it might be arranged another way."

  Fix ceased to breathe at all.

  "How?" asked Mr. Fogg.

  "By going to Nagasaki, at the extreme south of Japan, or even toShanghai, which is only eight hundred miles from here. In going toShanghai we should not be forced to sail wide of the Chinese coast,which would be a great advantage, as the currents run northward, andwould aid us."

  "Pilot," said Mr. Fogg, "I must take the American steamer at Yokohama,and not at Shanghai or Nagasaki."

  "Why not?" returned the pilot. "The San Francisco steamer does notstart from Yokohama. It puts in at Yokohama and Nagasaki, but itstarts from Shanghai."

  "You are sure of that?"

  "Perfectly."

  "And when does the boat leave Shanghai?"

  "On the 11th, at seven in the evening. We have, therefore, four daysbefore us, that is ninety-six hours; and in that time, if we had goodluck and a south-west wind, and the sea was calm, we could make thoseeight hundred miles to Shanghai."

  "And you could go--"

  "In an hour; as soon as provisions could be got aboard and the sailsput up."

  "It is a bargain. Are you the master of the boat?"

  "Yes; John Bunsby, master of the Tankadere."

  "Would you like some earnest-money?"

  "If it would not put your honour out--"

  "Here are two hundred pounds on account sir," added Phileas Fogg,turning to Fix, "if you would like to take advantage--"

  "Thanks, sir; I was about to ask the favour."

  "Very well. In half an hour we shall go on board."

  "But poor Passepartout?" urged Aouda, who was much disturbed by theservant's disappearance.

  "I shall do all I can to find him," replied Phileas Fogg.

  While Fix, in a feverish, nervous state, repaired to the pilot-boat,the others directed their course to the police-station at Hong Kong.Phileas Fogg there gave Passepartout's description, and left a sum ofmoney to be spent in the search for him. The same formalities havingbeen gone through at the French consulate, and the palanquin havingstopped at the hotel for the luggage, which had been sent back there,they returned to the wharf.

  It was now three o'clock; and pilot-boat No. 43, with its crew onboard, and its
provisions stored away, was ready for departure.

  The Tankadere was a neat little craft of twenty tons, as gracefullybuilt as if she were a racing yacht. Her shining copper sheathing, hergalvanised iron-work, her deck, white as ivory, betrayed the pridetaken by John Bunsby in making her presentable. Her two masts leaned atrifle backward; she carried brigantine, foresail, storm-jib, andstanding-jib, and was well rigged for running before the wind; and sheseemed capable of brisk speed, which, indeed, she had already proved bygaining several prizes in pilot-boat races. The crew of the Tankaderewas composed of John Bunsby, the master, and four hardy mariners, whowere familiar with the Chinese seas. John Bunsby, himself, a man offorty-five or thereabouts, vigorous, sunburnt, with a sprightlyexpression of the eye, and energetic and self-reliant countenance,would have inspired confidence in the most timid.

  Phileas Fogg and Aouda went on board, where they found Fix alreadyinstalled. Below deck was a square cabin, of which the walls bulgedout in the form of cots, above a circular divan; in the centre was atable provided with a swinging lamp. The accommodation was confined,but neat.

  "I am sorry to have nothing better to offer you," said Mr. Fogg to Fix,who bowed without responding.

  The detective had a feeling akin to humiliation in profiting by thekindness of Mr. Fogg.

  "It's certain," thought he, "though rascal as he is, he is a politeone!"

  The sails and the English flag were hoisted at ten minutes past three.Mr. Fogg and Aouda, who were seated on deck, cast a last glance at thequay, in the hope of espying Passepartout. Fix was not without hisfears lest chance should direct the steps of the unfortunate servant,whom he had so badly treated, in this direction; in which case anexplanation the reverse of satisfactory to the detective must haveensued. But the Frenchman did not appear, and, without doubt, wasstill lying under the stupefying influence of the opium.

  John Bunsby, master, at length gave the order to start, and theTankadere, taking the wind under her brigantine, foresail, andstanding-jib, bounded briskly forward over the waves.