Part 4 (2/2)
”Is this your passport?” asked he
”No, it's my master's”
”And your o to the consul's in person, so as to establish his identity”
”Oh, is that necessary?”
”Quite indispensable”
”And where is the consulate?”
”There, on the corner of the square,” said Fix, pointing to a house two hundred steps off
”I'll go and fetch my master, on't be er bowed to Fix, and returned to the steamer
Chapter VII
WHICH ONCE MORE DEMONSTRATES THE USELESSNESS OF PassPORTS AS AIDS TO DETECTIVES
The detective passed down the quay, and rapidly made his way to the consul's office, where he was at once admitted to the presence of that official
”Consul,” said he, without prea that olia” And he narrated what had just passed concerning the passport
”Well, Mr Fix,” replied the consul, ”I shall not be sorry to see the rascal's face; but perhaps he won't come here--that is, if he is the person you suppose him to be A robber doesn't quite like to leave traces of his flight behind hied to have his passport countersigned”
”If he is as shrewd as I think he is, consul, he will come”
”To have his passport visaed?”
”Yes Passports are only good for annoying honest folks, and aiding in the flight of rogues I assure you it will be quite the thing for him to do; but I hope you will not visa the passport”
”Why not? If the passport is genuine I have no right to refuse”
”Still, I et a warrant to arrest him from London”
”Ah, that's your look-out But I cannot--”
The consul did not finish his sentence, for as he spoke a knock was heard at the door, and two strangers entered, one of as the servant whom Fix had met on the quay The other, as his master, held out his passport with the request that the consul would do him the favour to visa it The consul took the document and carefully read it, whilst Fix observed, or rather devoured, the stranger with his eyes from a corner of the room