Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/259

 Passepartout, with his hands in his pockets, sauntered towards the port Victoria, looking at the palanquins, the curtained carriages still in favor in the Celestial Empire, and all the crowd of Chinese, Japanese, and Europeans hurrying along in the streets. In some things, it was like Bombay, Calcutta, or Singapore that the worthy fellow was finding again on his route. There is thus a track of English towns all around the world.

Passepartout arrived at Victoria port. There, at the mouth of Canton river, was a perfect swarm of the ships of all nations, English, French, American, Dutch, war and merchant vessels, Japanese or Chinese craft, junks, sempas, tankas, and even flower-boats, which formed so many parterres floating on the waters. Walking along, Passepartout noticed a certain number of natives dressed in yellow, all of quite advanced age. Having gone into a Chinese barber's to be shaved "a la Chinese," he learned from Figaro in the shop, who spoke pretty good English, that these ancient men were at least eighty years old, and that at this age they had the privilege of wearing yellow, the Imperial color. Passepartout found this very funny, without knowing exactly why.

His beard shaved, he repaired to the wharf from which the Carnatic would leave, and there he perceived Fix walking up and down, at which he was not at all astonished. But the detective showed upon his face marks of great disappointment.

"Good!" said Passepartout to himself; "that will be bad for the gentlemen of the Reform Club!"

And he accosted Fix with his merry smile, without seeming to notice the vexed air of his companion.

Now, the detective had good reasons to fret about the infernal luck which was pursuing him. No warrant! It was evident that the warrant was running after him, and that it could reach him only if he stopped some days in this city. Now, Hong Kong being the last English territory on the route, this Mr. Fogg would escape him finally, if he did not succeed in detaining him there.

"Well, Monsieur Fix, have you decided to come with us as far as America?" asked Passepartout.

"Yes," replied Fix between his closed teeth.

"Well then!" cried Passepartout, shouting with