by Verne, Jules, 1828-1905
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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, who was familiar with the last events, seemed to be equally ignorant of all that Passepartout related ; and the latter was charmed to find so interested a listener.
" But does your master propose to carry this young woman to Europe V
" Not at all. We are simply going to place her under the protection of one of her relatives, a rich merchant at Hong Kong."
" Nothing to be done there," said Fix to himself, concealing his disappointment. " A glass of gin, Mr. Passepartout.?"
" Willingly, Monsieur Fix. We must at least have a friendly glass on board the ' Rangoon.' "
CHAPTER XVII.
SHOWING WHAT HAPPENED ON THE VOYAGE FROM SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG.
The detective and Passepartout met often on deck after this interview, though Fix was reserved, and did not attempt to induce his companion to divulge any more facts concerning Mr. Fogg. He caught a gHmpse of that mysterious gentleman once or twice ; but Mr. Fogg usually confined himself to the cabin, where he kept Aouda company, or, according 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 his master was pursuing. It was really worth considering why this certainly very amiable and complacent person, whom he had first met at Suez, had then encountered on board the "Mongolia," who disembarked at Bombay, which he announced as his destination, and now turned up so un-
expectedly 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 them, and probably on the same steamer.
Passepartout might have cudgelled his brain for a century without hitting upon the real object which the detective had in view. He never could have imagined that Phileas Fogg was being 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 movements, which was in truth far from unreasonable. Fix, he thought, 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.
"It's clear!" repeated the worthy servant to himself, proud of his shrewdness. " He's a spy sent to keep us in view ! That isn't quite the thing, either, to be spying Mr. Fogg, who is so honourable a man I Ah, gentlemen of the Reform, this shall cost you dear !"
Passepartout, enchanted with his discovery, resolved to say nothing to his master, lest he should be justly offended at this mistrust on the part of his adversaries. But he determined to chaff Fix, when he had the chance, with
mysterious allusions, which, however, need not betray his real suspicions.
During the afternoon of Wednesday, October 30th, the "Rangoon" entered the Strait of Malacca, which separates the peninsula of that name from Sumatra. The mountainous and craggy islets intercepted the beauties of this noble island from the view of the travellers. The "Rangoon" weighed anchor at Singapore the next day at four a.m., to receive coal, having gained half a day on the prescribed time of her arrival. Phileas Fogg noted this gain in his journal, and then, accompanied by Aouda, who betrayed a desire for a walk on shore, disembarked.
Fix, w^ho suspected Mr. Fogg's every movement, followed them cautiously, without being himself perceived; while Passepartout, laughing in his sleeve at Fix's manoeuvres, w^ent about his usual errands.
The island of Singapore is not imposing in aspect, for there are no mountains; yet Its appearance is not without attractions. It is a park checkered by pleasant highways and avenues. A handsome carriage, drawn by a sleek pair of New Holland horses, carried Phileas Fogg and Aouda into the midst of rows of palms with brilliant foliage, and of clove-trees whereof the cloves form the heart of a half-open flower. Pepper plants replaced the prickly hedges of European fields ; sago-bushes, large ferns
