Page 162 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
P. 162
Around the World in 80 Days
‘You, a detective?’
‘I will prove it. Here is my commission.’
Passepartout was speechless with astonishment when
Fix displayed this document, the genuineness of which
could not be doubted.
‘Mr. Fogg’s wager,’ resumed Fix, ‘is only a pretext, of
which you and the gentlemen of the Reform are dupes.
He had a motive for securing your innocent complicity.’
‘But why?’
‘Listen. On the 28th of last September a robbery of
fifty-five thousand pounds was committed at the Bank of
England by a person whose description was fortunately
secured. Here is his description; it answers exactly to that
of Mr. Phileas Fogg.’
‘What nonsense!’ cried Passepartout, striking the table
with his fist. ‘My master is the most honourable of men!’
‘How can you tell? You know scarcely anything about
him. You went into his service the day he came away; and
he came away on a foolish pretext, without trunks, and
carrying a large amount in banknotes. And yet you are
bold enough to assert that he is an honest man!’
‘Yes, yes,’ repeated the poor fellow, mechanically.
‘Would you like to be arrested as his accomplice?’
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