Вокруг света за 80 дней / Around the World in Eighty Days

”

“Ah! Is Mr. Fogg rich?”

“No doubt. He carries new banknotes with him. And he offered a large reward to the engineer of the Mongolia if he gets us to Bombay very fast.”

“Do you know your master well?”

“No; I entered his service the very day we left London.”

The hasty departure from London soon after the robbery; the large sum that Mr. Fogg had; his eagerness[52 - eagerness – стремление] to reach distant countries-all confirmed Fix in his theory. He continued to ask poor Passepartout, and learned that he really knew little or nothing of his master, who lived in London, was rich, and was mysterious.

Phileas Fogg won’t land at Suez, but will go to Bombay.

“Is Bombay far from here?” asked Passepartout.

“Yes. Ten days’ voyage by sea.”

“And in what country is Bombay?”

“India.”

“In Asia?”

“Certainly.”

Fix and Passepartout reached the shop, where Fix left his companion and hurried back to the consulate. Now he was fully convinced.

“Consul,” said he, “I have no doubt. That man wants to go round the world in eighty days.”

“Then he’s a smart fellow,” returned the consul.

Fix reported in a few words the most important parts of his conversation with Passepartout.

“So,” said the consul, “what will you do?”

“I’ll send a dispatch to London, follow my rogue to India, and there, on English ground, arrest him.”

Chapter IX

The distance between Suez and Aden is precisely thirteen hundred and ten miles.

Many passengers from Brindisi were going to Bombay, others for Calcutta. Phileas Fogg seldom went upon the deck, and he played whist. Passepartout escaped sea-sickness, and rather enjoyed the voyage.

“Oh,” said Passepartout when he approached, “you are the gentleman who met me at Suez?”

“Ah! I quite recognise you. You are the servant of the strange Englishman.”

“Just so, monsieur…”

“Fix.”

“Monsieur Fix,” resumed Passepartout, “Where are you going?”

“Like you, to Bombay.

”

“That’s great! Do you know India?”

“Yes,” replied Fix, who spoke cautiously.

“A curious place, this India?”

“Oh, very curious. Mosques, minarets, temples, fakirs, pagodas, tigers, snakes, elephants! And how is Mr. Fogg?” asked Fix.

“Quite well, and I too.”

“But I never see your master on deck.”

After this meeting, Passepartout and Fix talked much.