Part 29 (1/2)

”The lives of three

”Doubtless, but can I risk the lives of fifty men to save three?”

”I don't knohether you can, sir, but you ought to do so

”nobody here,” returned the other, ”has a right to teach , coldly ”I will go alone”

”You, sir!” cried Fix, coo alone in pursuit of the Indians?”

”Would you have me leave this poor fellow to perish--hio”

”No, sir, you shall not go alone,” cried the captain, touched in spite of himself ”No! You are a braveto the soldiers

The whole company started forward at once The captain had only to pick his eant placed at their head

”Thanks, captain,” said Mr Fogg

”Will you let o with you?” asked Fix

”Do as you please, sir But if you wish to doshould happen to me--”

A sudden pallor overspread the detective's face Separate himself from the man whom he had so persistently followed step by step!

Leave hiazed attentively at Mr Fogg, and, despite his suspicions and of the struggle which was going on within him, he lowered his eyes before that calm and frank look

”I will stay,” he said

A fewwo, went off with the sergeant and his little squad But, before going, he had said to the soldiers, ”My friends, I will divide five thousand dollars a you, if we save the prisoners”

It was then a little past noon

Aouda retired to a waiting-roo of the sie of Phileas Fogg He had sacrificed his fortune, and was now risking his life, all without hesitation, frohts, and could scarcely conceal his agitation He walked feverishly up and down the platform, but soon resumed his outward couilty in letting Fogg go alone What! This man, whom he had just followed around the world, was peran to accuse and abuse himself, and, as if he were director of police, adreenness

”I have been an idiot!” he thought, ”and this one, and won't come back! But how is it that I, who have in my pocket a warrant for his arrest, have been so fascinated by hi but an ass!”

So reasoned the detective, while the hours crept by all too slowly He did not knohat to do Sometimes he was te woman would receive his confidences What course should he take? He thought of pursuing Fogg across the vast white plains It did not seeht overtake him Footsteps were easily printed on the snow! But soon, under a new sheet, every ied He felt a sort of insurether He could now leave Fort Kearney station, and pursue his journey homeward in peace

Towards two o'clock in the afternoon, while it was snowing hard, long whistles were heard approaching froht, slowly advanced, appearing still larger through the ave it a fantastic aspect

No train was expected from the east, neither had there been tiraph to arrive The train from Omaha to San Francisco was not due till the next day The mystery was soon explained

The loco whistles, was that which, having been detached from the train, had continued its route with such terrific rapidity, carrying off the unconscious engineer and stoker It had run severallow for want of fuel, the steam had slackened It had finally stopped an hour after, soineer nor the stoker was dead After re for some time in their swoon, they had coineer, when he found himself in the desert, and the locomotive without cars, understood what had happened He could not iine how the locomotive had become separated from the train, but he did not doubt that the train left behind was in distress