Page 137 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
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Around the World in 80 Days
‘As well and as punctual as ever, not a day behind time!
But, Monsieur Fix, you don’t know that we have a young
lady with us.’
‘A young lady?’ replied the detective, not seeming to
comprehend what was said.
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. ‘A glass of gin, Mr.
Passepartout?’
‘Willingly, Monsieur Fix. We must at least have a
friendly glass on board the Rangoon.’
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