Part 5 (1/2)

The Consul having thus given the detective something to think about, went away to his office close by. The detective, now alone, became more and more impatient, as he had some peculiar presentiment that the robber was on board the _Mongolia_; and if he had left England with the intention to gain the new world, the route _via_ India, being less open to observation, or more difficult to watch than the Atlantic route, would naturally be the one chosen.

The detective was not left long to his reflections. A succession of shrill whistles denoted the approach of the steamer. The whole crowd of porters and fellahs hurried towards the quay in a manner somewhat distressing for the limbs and clothes of the lookers-on. A number of boats also put off to meet the _Mongolia_.

Her immense hull was soon perceived pa.s.sing between the banks of the Ca.n.a.l, and as eleven o'clock was striking she came to an anchor in the roadstead, while a cloud of steam was blown off from her safety-valves.

There were a great number of pa.s.sengers on board. Some of them remained upon the bridge, admiring the view, but the greater number came ash.o.r.e in the boats, which had put off to meet the vessel.

Fix carefully examined each one as they landed. As he was thus employed, one of the pa.s.sengers approached him, and vigorously pus.h.i.+ng aside the fellahs who surrounded him, inquired of the detective the way to the British Consul's office; at the same time, the pa.s.senger produced his pa.s.sport, upon which he desired, no doubt, to have the British _visa_.

Fix mechanically took the pa.s.sport, and mastered its contents at a glance. His hand shook involuntarily. The description on the pa.s.sport agreed exactly with the description of the thief.

”This pa.s.sport does not belong to you?” he said to the pa.s.senger.

”No,” replied the man addressed; ”it is my master's.”

”And where is your master?”

”He is on board.”

”But,” replied the detective, ”he must come himself to the Consul's office to establish his ident.i.ty.”

”Oh, is that necessary?”

”Quite indispensable.”

”Where is the office?”

”In the corner of the square yonder,” replied the detective, indicating a house about two hundred paces off.

”Well then, I will go and fetch my master; but I can tell you he won't thank you for disturbing him.”

So saying, the pa.s.senger saluted Fix, and returned on board the steamer.

CHAPTER VII.

Which once more shows the Futility of Pa.s.sports where Policemen are concerned.

The detective quickly traversed the quay once more in the direction of the Consul's office. At his particular request he was at once ushered into the presence of the official.

”I beg your pardon,” he said to the Consul abruptly, ”but I have great reason to believe that my man _is_ really on board the _Mongolia_.”

And then Mr. Fix related what had pa.s.sed between him and the servant.

”Good,” replied the Consul; ”I should not be sorry to see the rascal's face myself; but perhaps he will not present himself here if the case stands as you believe it does. No thief likes to leave a trace behind him; and moreover, the _visa_ to the pa.s.sport is not necessary.”

”If he is the sharp fellow he ought to be, he will come,” replied Mr.

Fix.