Round the World in Eighty Days Part 5

The Consul having thus given the detective something to think about, went away to his office close by. The detective, now alone, became more and more impatient, as he had some peculiar presentiment that the robber was on board the _Mongolia_; and if he had left England with the intention to gain the new world, the route _via_ India, being less open to observation, or more difficult to watch than the Atlantic route, would naturally be the one chosen.

The detective was not left long to his reflections. A succession of shrill whistles denoted the approach of the steamer. The whole crowd of porters and fellahs hurried towards the quay in a manner somewhat distressing for the limbs and clothes of the lookers-on. A number of boats also put off to meet the _Mongolia_.

Her immense hull was soon perceived pa.s.sing between the banks of the Ca.n.a.l, and as eleven o'clock was striking she came to an anchor in the roadstead, while a cloud of steam was blown off from her safety-valves.

There were a great number of pa.s.sengers on board. Some of them remained upon the bridge, admiring the view, but the greater number came ash.o.r.e in the boats, which had put off to meet the vessel.

Fix carefully examined each one as they landed. As he was thus employed, one of the pa.s.sengers approached him, and vigorously pushing aside the fellahs who surrounded him, inquired of the detective the way to the British Consul's office; at the same time, the pa.s.senger produced his pa.s.sport, upon which he desired, no doubt, to have the British _visa_.

Fix mechanically took the pa.s.sport, and mastered its contents at a glance. His hand shook involuntarily. The description on the pa.s.sport agreed exactly with the description of the thief.

"This pa.s.sport does not belong to you?" he said to the pa.s.senger.

"No," replied the man addressed; "it is my master's."

"And where is your master?"

"He is on board."

"But," replied the detective, "he must come himself to the Consul's office to establish his ident.i.ty."

"Oh, is that necessary?"

"Quite indispensable."

"Where is the office?"

"In the corner of the square yonder," replied the detective, indicating a house about two hundred paces off.

"Well then, I will go and fetch my master; but I can tell you he won't thank you for disturbing him."

So saying, the pa.s.senger saluted Fix, and returned on board the steamer.

CHAPTER VII.

Which once more shows the Futility of Pa.s.sports where Policemen are concerned.

The detective quickly traversed the quay once more in the direction of the Consul's office. At his particular request he was at once ushered into the presence of the official.

"I beg your pardon," he said to the Consul abruptly, "but I have great reason to believe that my man _is_ really on board the _Mongolia_."

And then Mr. Fix related what had pa.s.sed between him and the servant.

"Good," replied the Consul; "I should not be sorry to see the rascal's face myself; but perhaps he will not present himself here if the case stands as you believe it does. No thief likes to leave a trace behind him; and moreover, the _visa_ to the pa.s.sport is not necessary."

"If he is the sharp fellow he ought to be, he will come," replied Mr.

Fix.

"To have his pa.s.sport examined?"

"Yes. Pa.s.sports are no use, except to worry honest people and to facilitate the escape of rogues. I have no doubt whatever that this fellow's pa.s.sport will be all right; but I hope you will not _vise_ it all the same."

"Why not? If the pa.s.sport is all regular I have no right to refuse my _visa_," replied the Consul.

"Nevertheless, I must keep the fellow here until I have received the warrant of arrest from London."

"Ah, Mr. Fix, that is _your_ business," said the Consul; "for my part I must--"

The Consul did not conclude the sentence. At that moment a knock was heard, and the servant introduced two strangers, one of whom was the servant who had lately interviewed the detective on the quay. The newcomers were master and servant. The former handed his pa.s.sport to the Consul, and laconically requested him to attach his _visa_.

The Consul took the pa.s.sport and examined it narrowly, while Fix from a corner devoured the stranger with his eyes. When the Consul had perused the doc.u.ment, he said:

"You are Phileas Fogg?"

"Yes," replied that gentleman.

"And this man is your servant?"

"Yes; he is a Frenchman named Pa.s.se-partout."

"You have come from London?"

"Yes."

"And you are bound--whither?"

"To Bombay."

"Very well, sir. You are aware, perhaps, that this formality is unnecessary, even useless. We only require to see the pa.s.sport."

"I know that," replied Fogg; "but I want you to testify to my presence at Suez."

"Very well, sir, so be it," replied the Consul, who thereupon attested the pa.s.sport. Mr. Fogg paid the fee, and bowing formally, departed, followed by his servant.

"Well, what do you think, sir?" said the detective.

"I think he looks a perfectly honest man," replied the Consul.

"That may be," said Fix; "but that is not the point. Do you not perceive that this cool gentleman answers in every particular to the description of the thief sent out?"

"I grant you that; but you know all descriptions--"

"I will settle the business," replied Fix. "It strikes me that the servant is more get-at-able than the master. Besides, he is a Frenchman, and cannot help chattering. I will return soon, sir." As he finished speaking, the detective left the Consul's office in search of Pa.s.se-partout.