Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/204

 "Is Bombay far from here?" asked Passepartout.

"Pretty far," replied the detective. "It will take you ten days more by sea."

"And where do you locate Bombay?"

"In India."

"In Asia! The deuce! I must tell you—there is one thing that bothers me—it is my burner."

"What burner?"

"My gas-burner, which I forgot to turn off, and which is burning at my expense. Now, I have calculated that it will cost me two shillings each twenty-four hours, exactly sixpence more than I earn, and you understand that, however little our journey may be prolonged"

Did Fix understand the matter of the gas? It is improbable. He did not listen any longer, and was coming to a determination. The Frenchman and he had arrived at the shop. Fix left his companion there making his purchases, recommending him not to miss the departure of the Mongolia, and he returned in great haste to the Consul's office. Fix had regained his coolness completely, now that he was fully convinced.

"Monsieur," said he to the Consul, "I have my man. He is passing himself off as an oddity, who wishes to make the tour of the world in eighty days."

"Then he is a rogue," replied the Consul, "and he counts on returning to London after having deceived all the police of the two continents."

"We will see," replied Fix.

"But are you not mistaken?" asked the Consul once more.

"I am not mistaken."

"Why, then, has this robber insisted upon having his stopping at Suez confirmed by a vise?"

"Why? I do not know, Consul," replied the detective; "but listen to me." And in a few words he related the salient points of his conversation with the servant of the said Fogg.

"Indeed," said the Consul, "all the presumptions are against this man. And what are you going to do?"

"Send a dispatch to London with the urgent request to send to me at once at Bombay a warrant of arrest, set sail upon the Mongolia, follow my robber to the Indies, and