Fix decided that he must warn the English authorities, and signal the Rangoon before her arrival.This was easy to do, since the steamer stopped at Singapore, whence there is a telegraphic wire to Hong Kong.He finally resolved, moreover, before acting 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 emerged from his cabin and went on deck. Passepartout was promenading up and down in the forward part of the steamer.
The detective rushed forward with every appearance of extreme surprise.
What, Monsieur Fix, are you on board? returned the really astonished Passepartout recognising his crony of the Mongolia.
Why, I left you at Bombay, and here you are, on the way to Hong Kong! Are you going round the world too?.
No, no,replied FixI 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?
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 later was charmed to find so interested a listener.
But does your master propose to carry this young woman to Europe? 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.We must at least have a friendly glass on board the Rangoon.
A glass of gin, Mr. Passepartout? Willingly, Monsieur Fix.
.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 glimpse 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.
