Page 286 - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Around the World in 80 Days

Chapter XXXI

IN WHICH FIX, THE

DETECTIVE, CONSIDERABLY

FURTHERS THE INTERESTS

OF PHILEAS FOGG

Phileas Fogg found himself twenty hours behind time.
Passepartout, the involuntary cause of this delay, was
desperate. He had ruined his master!
At this moment the detective approached Mr. Fogg,
and, looking him intently in the face, said:
‘Seriously, sir, are you in great haste?’
‘Quite seriously.’
‘I have a purpose in asking,’ resumed Fix. ‘Is it
absolutely necessary that you should be in New York on
the 11th, before nine o’clock in the evening, the time that
the steamer leaves for Liverpool?’
‘It is absolutely necessary.’
‘And, if your journey had not been interrupted by these
Indians, you would have reached New York on the
morning of the 11th?’

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