Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/243

 But at the moment that the clerk was calling another case, he rose and said, "I offer bail."

"It is your right," replied the judge.

Fix felt a cold shudder down his back, but he recovered himself again, when he heard the judge, "in consideration of the fact of Phileas Fogg and his servant both being strangers," fix the bail for each at the enormous sum of one thousand pounds.

It would cost Mr. Fogg two thousand pounds, unless he was cleared from his sentence.

"I will pay it," said that gentleman.

And he took from the bag which Passepartout carried a bundle of bank-notes, which he placed on the clerk's desk.

"This sum will be returned to you on coming out of prison," said the judge. "In the meantime, you are free under bail."

"Come," said Phileas Fogg to his servant.

"But they should at least return me my shoes," cried Passepartout, with an angry movement.

They returned him his shoes.

"These are dear!" he murmued; "more than a thousand pounds apiece! Without counting that they pinch me!"

Passepartout, with a very pitiful look, followed Mr. Fogg, who had offered his arm to the young woman. Fix still hoped that his robber would not decide to surrender this sum of two thousand pounds, and that he would serve out his eight days in prison. He put himself, then, on Fogg's tracks.

Mr. Fogg took a carriage, into which Aouda, Passepartout, and he got out immediately. Fix ran behind the carriage, which soon stopped on one of the wharves of the city.

Half a mile out in the harbor the Rangoon was anchored, her sailing flag hoisted to the top of the mast. Eleven o'clock struck. Mr. Fogg was one hour ahead. Fix saw him get out of the carriage, and embark in a boat with Aouda and his servant. The detective stamped his foot.

"The rascal!" he cried: "he is going off! Two thousand pounds sacrificed! Prodigal as a robber! Ah! I will follow him to the end of the world, if it is necessary;