Page 279 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Around the World in 80 Days

fortune, and was now risking his life, all without
hesitation, from duty, in silence.
Fix did not have the same thoughts, and could scarcely
conceal his agitation. He walked feverishly up and down

the platform, but soon resumed his outward composure.
He now saw the folly of which he had been guilty in
letting Fogg go alone. What! This man, whom he had just
followed around the world, was permitted now to separate
himself from him! He began to accuse and abuse himself,
and, as if he were director of police, administered to
himself a sound lecture for his greenness.
‘I have been an idiot!’ he thought, ‘and this man will
see it. He has gone, and won’t come back! But how is it
that I, Fix, who have in my pocket a warrant for his arrest,
have been so fascinated by him? Decidedly, I am nothing
but an ass!’
So reasoned the detective, while the hours crept by all
too slowly. He did not know what to do. Sometimes he
was tempted to tell Aouda all; but he could not doubt
how the young woman would receive his confidences.
What course should he take? He thought of pursuing Fogg
across the vast white plains; it did not seem impossible that
he might overtake him. Footsteps were easily printed on

278 of 339