Fix Seems to Understand Nothing He Is Told

The “Rangoon”—one of the Peninsular and Oriental Company’s boats plying in the Chinese and Japanese seas—was a screw steamer, built of iron, weighing about seventeen hundred and seventy tons, and with engines of four hundred horse-power. She was as fast, but not as well fitted up, as the “Mongolia,” and Aouda was not as comfortably provided for on board of her as Phileas Fogg could have wished. However, the trip from Calcutta to Hong Kong only comprised some three thousand five hundred miles, occupying from ten to twelve days, and the young woman was not difficult to please.

The “Rangoon” was one of the Peninsular and Oriental Company’s ships sailing in Chinese and Japanese waters. It was an iron screw steamer, weighing about 1,770 tons, with engines of 400 horsepower. It was as fast as the “Mongolia,” but not as well equipped. Aouda’s accommodations on board were not as comfortable as Phileas Fogg would have wished. However, the journey from Calcutta to Hong Kong was only about 3,500 miles and took ten to twelve days. And the young woman was not difficult to please.

During the first days of the journey Aouda became better acquainted with her protector, and constantly gave evidence of her deep gratitude for what he had done. The phlegmatic gentleman listened to her, apparently at least, with coldness, neither his voice nor his manner betraying the slightest emotion; but he seemed to be always on the watch that nothing should be wanting to Aouda’s comfort. He visited her regularly each day at certain hours, not so much to talk himself, as to sit and hear her talk. He treated her with the strictest politeness, but with the precision of an automaton, the movements of which had been arranged for this purpose. Aouda did not quite know what to make of him, though Passepartout had given her some hints of his master’s eccentricity, and made her smile by telling her of the wager which was sending him round the world. After all, she owed Phileas Fogg her life, and she always regarded him through the exalting medium of her gratitude.

During the first days of the journey, Aouda got to know her protector better. She constantly showed her deep gratitude for what he had done. The calm gentleman listened to her with apparent coldness. Neither his voice nor his manner showed the slightest emotion. But he always seemed alert to anything Aouda might need for her comfort. He visited her regularly at set times each day. He came not so much to talk as to sit and listen to her. He treated her with the utmost politeness, but with the precision of a machine programmed for the purpose. Aouda did not quite know what to make of him. Passepartout had, however, given her some hints about his master's eccentricity. He had also made her smile by telling her about the wager that was sending Phileas Fogg around the world. After all, she owed Phileas Fogg her life, and her gratitude always made her see him in a favorable light.

Aouda confirmed the Parsee guide’s narrative of her touching history. She did, indeed, belong to the highest of the native races of India. Many of the Parsee merchants have made great fortunes there by dealing in cotton; and one of them, Sir Jametsee Jeejeebhoy, was made a baronet by the English government. Aouda was a relative of this great man, and it was his cousin, Jeejeeh, whom she hoped to join at Hong Kong. Whether she would find a protector in him she could not tell; but Mr. Fogg essayed to calm her anxieties, and to assure her that everything would be mathematically—he used the very word—arranged. Aouda fastened her great eyes, “clear as the sacred lakes of the Himalaya,” upon him; but the intractable Fogg, as reserved as ever, did not seem at all inclined to throw himself into this lake.

Aouda confirmed the Parsee guide’s account of her touching story. She did indeed belong to the highest of India’s native races. Many Parsee merchants had made great fortunes in India by trading cotton. One of them, Sir Jametsee Jeejeebhoy, had been made a baronet by the English government. Aouda was related to this great man. She hoped to join his cousin, Jeejeeh, in Hong Kong. She did not know whether he would protect her. But Mr. Fogg tried to calm her fears. He assured her that everything would be arranged mathematically. He used that very word. Aouda fixed her great eyes, “clear as the sacred lakes of the Himalaya,” on him. But the unyielding Fogg, as reserved as ever, seemed not at all inclined to plunge into this lake.

The first few days of the voyage passed prosperously, amid favourable weather and propitious winds, and they soon came in sight of the great Andaman, the principal of the islands in the Bay of Bengal, with its picturesque Saddle Peak, two thousand four hundred feet high, looming above the waters. The steamer passed along near the shores, but the savage Papuans, who are in the lowest scale of humanity, but are not, as has been asserted, cannibals, did not make their appearance.

The first few days of the voyage went well, with good weather and favorable winds. Soon they saw the great Andaman, the main island in the Bay of Bengal. Its picturesque Saddle Peak rose 2,400 feet above the water. The steamer passed close to shore, but the savage Papuans did not appear. They are at the lowest level of humanity, but they are not cannibals, as some have claimed.

The panorama of the islands, as they steamed by them, was superb. Vast forests of palms, arecs, bamboo, teakwood, of the gigantic mimosa, and tree-like ferns covered the foreground, while behind, the graceful outlines of the mountains were traced against the sky; and along the coasts swarmed by thousands the precious swallows whose nests furnish a luxurious dish to the tables of the Celestial Empire. The varied landscape afforded by the Andaman Islands was soon passed, however, and the “Rangoon” rapidly approached the Straits of Malacca, which gave access to the China seas.

The islands offered a magnificent view as the ship steamed past. Vast forests of palms, areca palms, bamboo, teak, giant mimosas, and tree ferns covered the foreground. Behind them, the graceful outlines of mountains stood against the sky. Along the coasts, thousands of prized swallows swarmed. Their nests provided a luxurious dish for the tables of the Chinese Empire. But the varied landscape of the Andaman Islands soon fell behind. The “Rangoon” rapidly approached the Straits of Malacca, which led to the China seas.

What was detective Fix, so unluckily drawn on from country to country, doing all this while? He had managed to embark on the “Rangoon” at Calcutta without being seen by Passepartout, after leaving orders that, if the warrant should arrive, it should be forwarded to him at Hong Kong; and he hoped to conceal his presence to the end of the voyage. It would have been difficult to explain why he was on board without awakening Passepartout’s suspicions, who thought him still at Bombay. But necessity impelled him, nevertheless, to renew his acquaintance with the worthy servant, as will be seen.

What was detective Fix doing all this time, as he was so unfortunately drawn from country to country? He had managed to board the “Rangoon” at Calcutta without Passepartout seeing him. Before boarding, he had left orders for the warrant to be forwarded to him at Hong Kong if it arrived. He hoped to keep his presence hidden for the whole voyage. Passepartout thought Fix was still in Bombay, so Fix would have struggled to explain his presence on board without raising his suspicions. But necessity forced him to renew his acquaintance with the good servant, as we shall see.

All the detective’s hopes and wishes were now centred on Hong Kong; for the steamer’s stay at Singapore would be too brief to enable him to take any steps there. The arrest must be made at Hong Kong, or the robber would probably escape him for ever. Hong Kong was the last English ground on which he would set foot; beyond, China, Japan, America offered to Fogg an almost certain refuge. If the warrant should at last make its appearance at Hong Kong, Fix could arrest him and give him into the hands of the local police, and there would be no further trouble. But beyond Hong Kong, a simple warrant would be of no avail; an extradition warrant would be necessary, and that would result in delays and obstacles, of which the rascal would take advantage to elude justice.

All the detective’s hopes and wishes now centered on Hong Kong. The steamer’s stop in Singapore would be too brief for him to take any action there. He had to make the arrest in Hong Kong, or the robber would probably escape him forever. Hong Kong was the last British territory Fogg would set foot on. Beyond Hong Kong, China, Japan, and America offered Fogg almost certain refuge. If the warrant finally arrived in Hong Kong, Fix could arrest him and hand him over to the local police. Then there would be no further trouble. But beyond Hong Kong, an ordinary warrant would be useless. An extradition warrant would be necessary, and obtaining one would cause delays and create obstacles. The rascal would take advantage of these to escape justice.

Fix thought over these probabilities during the long hours which he spent in his cabin, and kept repeating to himself, “Now, either the warrant will be at Hong Kong, in which case I shall arrest my man, or it will not be there; and this time it is absolutely necessary that I should delay his departure. I have failed at Bombay, and I have failed at Calcutta; if I fail at Hong Kong, my reputation is lost: Cost what it may, I must succeed! But how shall I prevent his departure, if that should turn out to be my last resource?”

Fix thought over these possibilities during the long hours he spent in his cabin. He kept repeating to himself, “Either the warrant will be in Hong Kong, and I will arrest my man, or it will not be there. This time, I absolutely must delay his departure. I failed in Bombay, and I failed in Calcutta. If I fail in Hong Kong, my reputation is ruined. Whatever it costs, I must succeed! But how can I stop him from leaving if that turns out to be my last resort?”

Fix made up his mind that, if worst came to worst, he would make a confidant of Passepartout, and tell him what kind of a fellow his master really was. That Passepartout was not Fogg’s accomplice, he was very certain. The servant, enlightened by his disclosure, and afraid of being himself implicated in the crime, would doubtless become an ally of the detective. But this method was a dangerous one, only to be employed when everything else had failed. A word from Passepartout to his master would ruin all. The detective was therefore in a sore strait. But suddenly a new idea struck him. The presence of Aouda on the “Rangoon,” in company with Phileas Fogg, gave him new material for reflection.

Fix decided that, if the worst came to the worst, he would confide in Passepartout. He would tell him what kind of man his master really was. Fix was certain that Passepartout was not Fogg’s accomplice. Once the servant knew the truth, he would doubtless fear being implicated in the crime himself and become the detective’s ally. But this approach was dangerous and should be used only if everything else failed. One word from Passepartout to his master would ruin everything. The detective was therefore in a difficult position. But suddenly, a new idea struck him. The presence of Aouda on the “Rangoon” with Phileas Fogg gave him something new to think about.

Who was this woman? What combination of events had made her Fogg’s travelling companion? They had evidently met somewhere between Bombay and Calcutta; but where? Had they met accidentally, or had Fogg gone into the interior purposely in quest of this charming damsel? Fix was fairly puzzled. He asked himself whether there had not been a wicked elopement; and this idea so impressed itself upon his mind that he determined to make use of the supposed intrigue. Whether the young woman were married or not, he would be able to create such difficulties for Mr. Fogg at Hong Kong that he could not escape by paying any amount of money.

Who was this woman? How had she come to be Fogg’s traveling companion? They had clearly met somewhere between Bombay and Calcutta, but where? Had they met by chance, or had Fogg deliberately traveled inland to find this charming young woman? Fix was completely puzzled. He wondered whether they had scandalously eloped. The idea took such hold of him that he decided to make use of the supposed affair. Whether the young woman was married or not, he could create difficulties for Mr. Fogg in Hong Kong. Fogg would not be able to escape them by paying any amount of money.

But could he even wait till they reached Hong Kong? Fogg had an abominable way of jumping from one boat to another, and, before anything could be effected, might get full under way again for Yokohama.

But could he even wait until they reached Hong Kong? Fogg had an infuriating habit of jumping from one boat to another. Before anything could be done, he might already be on his way to Yokohama.

Fix decided that he must warn the English authorities, and signal the “Rangoon” before her arrival. This was easy to do, since the steamer stopped at Singapore, whence there is a telegraphic wire to Hong Kong. He finally resolved, moreover, before acting more positively, to question Passepartout. It would not be difficult to make him talk; and, as there was no time to lose, Fix prepared to make himself known.

Fix decided he had to warn the English authorities and send a message ahead of the “Rangoon”. This was easy because the steamer stopped at Singapore, which had a telegraph connection to Hong Kong. He also decided to question Passepartout before taking more direct action. It would not be difficult to get him talking. Since there was no time to lose, Fix prepared to introduce himself.

It was now the 30th of October, and on the following day the “Rangoon” was due at Singapore.

It was now October 30, and the “Rangoon” was due to arrive in Singapore the next day.

Fix emerged from his cabin and went on deck. Passepartout was promenading up and down in the forward part of the steamer. The detective rushed forward with every appearance of extreme surprise, and exclaimed, “You here, on the ‘Rangoon’?”

Fix came out of his cabin and went on deck. Passepartout was walking back and forth near the front of the steamer. The detective rushed toward him, looking extremely surprised, and exclaimed, “You’re here, on the ‘Rangoon’?”

“What, Monsieur Fix, are you on board?” returned the really astonished Passepartout, recognising his crony of the “Mongolia.” “Why, I left you at Bombay, and here you are, on the way to Hong Kong! Are you going round the world too?”

“What, Monsieur Fix, are you on board?” replied Passepartout, genuinely surprised to recognize his friend from the “Mongolia.” “I left you in Bombay, and here you are, on your way to Hong Kong! Are you going around the world too?”

“No, no,” replied Fix; “I shall stop at Hong Kong—at least for some days.”

“No, no,” Fix replied. “I’ll stay in Hong Kong for at least a few days.”

“Hum!” said Passepartout, who seemed for an instant perplexed. “But how is it I have not seen you on board since we left Calcutta?”

“Hmm,” said Passepartout, looking puzzled for a moment. “But why haven’t I seen you on board since we left Calcutta?”

“Oh, a trifle of sea-sickness—I’ve been staying in my berth. The Gulf of Bengal does not agree with me as well as the Indian Ocean. And how is Mr. Fogg?”

“Oh, just a little seasickness. I’ve been staying in my berth. The Gulf of Bengal doesn’t agree with me as well as the Indian Ocean. And how is Mr. Fogg?”

“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.”

“As well and as punctual as ever, not a day late! But, Monsieur Fix, you don’t know we have a young woman with us.”

“A young lady?” replied the detective, not seeming to comprehend what was said.

“A young lady?” the detective replied, seeming not to understand what had been 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.

Passepartout then told Aouda’s story. He described the incident at the Bombay pagoda, the purchase of the elephant for two thousand pounds, and the rescue. He went on to describe the arrest, the Calcutta court’s sentence, and how he and Mr. Fogg were released on bail. Fix knew about the events at the end of the story, but he seemed just as unaware of them as of everything else Passepartout told him. Passepartout was delighted to find such an interested listener.

“But does your master propose to carry this young woman to Europe?”

“But does your master plan to take 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.”

“Not at all. We are simply going to leave her in the care of a relative, a rich merchant in Hong Kong.”

“Nothing to be done there,” said Fix to himself, concealing his disappointment. “A glass of gin, Mr. Passepartout?”

“There’s nothing I can do there,” Fix said to himself, hiding his disappointment. “A glass of gin, Mr. Passepartout?”

“Willingly, Monsieur Fix. We must at least have a friendly glass on board the ‘Rangoon.’”

“Gladly, Monsieur Fix. We must at least share a friendly drink on board the ‘Rangoon.’”