Part 14 (1/2)
All the detective's hopes and wishes were now centred on Hong Kong; for the steaapore would be too brief to enable hi Kong, or the robber would probably escape hiround on which he would set foot; beyond, China, japan, Ae If the warrant should at last ive him into the hands of the local police, and there would be no further trouble But beyond Hong Kong, a simple warrant would be of no avail; an extradition warrant would be necessary, and that would result in delays and obstacles, of which the rascal would take advantage to elude justice
Fix thought over these probabilities during the long hours which he spent in his cabin, and kept repeating to hi, in which case I shall arrest my man, or it will not be there; and this time it is absolutely necessary that I should delay his departure I have failed at Bo, my reputation is lost: Cost what it may, I must succeed! But how shall I prevent his departure, if that should turn out to be my last resource?”
Fix made up his mind that, if worst came to worst, he would make a confidant of Passepartout, and tell him what kind of a fellow his 's accohtened by his disclosure, and afraid of being himself implicated in the crime, would doubtless becoerous one, only to be e else had failed A word from Passepartout to his master would ruin all The detective was therefore in a sore strait But suddenly a new idea struck hioon, in coave him new material for reflection
Who was this wo companion? They had evidently met somewhere between Bombay and Calcutta; but where? Had they one into the interior purposely in quest of this char damsel? Fix was fairly puzzled He asked himself whether there had not been a wicked elopement; and this idea so impressed itself upon his ue Whether the young woman were married or not, he would be able to create such difficulties for Mr Fogg at Hong Kong that he could not escape by paying any amount ofKong? Fogg had an abo fro could be effected, ain for Yokohalish authorities, and signal the Rangoon before her arrival This was easy to do, since the stearaphic wire to Hong Kong
He finally resolved,more positively, to question Passepartout It would not be difficult to make him talk; and, as there was no time to lose, Fix prepared to make himself known
It was now the 30th of October, and on the following day the Rangoon was due at Singapore
Fix eed fro up and down in the forward part of the steamer The detective rushed forith every appearance of extreoon?”
”What, Monsieur Fix, are you on board?” returned the really astonished Passepartout, recognising his crony of the Mongolia ”Why, I left you at Bo round the world too?”
”No, no,” replied Fix; ”I shall stop at Hong Kong--at least for some days”
”Hum!” said Passepartout, who seemed for an instant perplexed ”But how is it I have not seen you on board since we left Calcutta?”
”Oh, a trifle of sea-sickness--I've been staying in ree with ?”
”As well and as punctual as ever, not a day behind ti lady with us”
”A young lady?” replied the detective, not see to comprehend as said
Passepartout thereupon recounted Aouda's history, the affair at the Bombay paGoda, the purchase of the elephant for two thousand pounds, the rescue, the arrest, and sentence of the Calcutta court, and the restoration of Mr Fogg and himself to liberty on bail Fix, as fanorant of all that Passepartout related; and the later was charmed to find so interested a listener
”But does yourwo to place her under the protection of one of her relatives, a richto be done there,” said Fix to hiin, Mr Passepartout?”
”Willingly, Monsieur Fix We oon”
Chapter XVII
SHOWING WHAT HAPPENED ON THE VOYAGE FROM SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG
The detective and Passepartout h Fix was reserved, and did not attee any li usually confined hi to his inveterate habit, took a hand at whist
Passepartout began very seriously to conjecture what strange chance kept Fix still on the route that hiswhy this certainly very amiable and complacent person, whom he had first olia, who disembarked at Bombay, which he announced as his destination, and now turned up so unexpectedly on the Rangoon, was following Mr Fogg's tracks step by step What was Fix's object?
Passepartout was ready to wager his Indian shoes--which he religiously preserved--that Fix would also leave Hong Kong at the same time with theht have cudgelled his brain for a century without hitting upon the real object which the detective had in view He never could have i tracked as a robber around the globe But, as it is in human nature to attempt the solution of every mystery, Passepartout suddenly discovered an explanation of Fix's moveht, could only be an agent of Mr Fogg's friends at the Reform Club, sent to follow him up, and to ascertain that he really went round the world as had been agreed upon