The Portland daily press., 1873-06-14
CHAPTER vi.

,tt8 rtE
t-,,., .... CHAPTER VI
Here are then. the circumstances under which
the dispatch concerning Mr.. Fogg had been
sent. On Wednesday, the ninth of October,
the steamer Mongolia, of the Penirsular and
Eastern Company, was due at Suez at eleven
O'Clock A. M. She carried 2800 tons with
nominal force OF 500horse power. The Mon
golia made regular voyages from Brindisi to
Bombay by the Suez Canal. She was one of
the fastest steamers of the line-her ordinary
speed being ten mics pei hour between Brin-
dist and Suez-and 9.53 between Suez and
Bombay--and was always ahead of time.
While waiting the arrival of the steamer,
two men promenaded on the quay in the
midst of a crowd of Indians and foreigners. :
One of these men was the Consular Agent of
the United Kingdom established at Suez; the
other was small lean man, with an intelli-
gent face, across whose long eyelashes spark
led AN eye very bright, the fire of which he
could extinguish at will All this moment he
gave evident signs of impatience, going
coming-not able to rest anywhere.
This mans name was Fix; he was one of
the agents of the police sent to the various
posts after the robbery of the Bank of Eng
land. He watched with the greatest care all
the travellers taking the route to Suez, and if
one seemed suspicious he would send for
warrant of arrest. Not more than three
days since Fix had received from the
agent Of police, description of the pre-
sumed author of the theft. 1t was that of
the distinguished and arstocratic person seen
in the room of tie cashier of the Bank. AL
lured by the great reward promised in case of
success, Fix waited with an impotence easy
to understand, the arrival of the Mongolia.
'And you say, Consul" asked he for the
tenth time.n that this boat cannot be late?'
Mr iy Shn sir lo1- Is
morning at the port of Said, and the hundred
AMI sixty kilometres of the Canal are nothing
for such sailer The Mongolia has always
gained he bonus of e25 which the govern
ment grants for each advance of "a hours on
the regular time"
"This steamer comes direct from Brindsi %
asked FIX. -
From Brindisi, where she has taken the
mai.s-from Brindisi, which she left Satur-
day at P. M.,-be patient, it will not be
late. But do not know how with your de-
scription you will be able to recognize your
man if he is on board the Mongolia"
"Consul, one feels rather than recognizes
these men. 1t is scent that one must have.
and this scent is like special sense formed
by the hearing, sight and smell. / have ar
rested in my life more than one of these gen.
tlemen, and, provided that my thief is on
board, promise You he will not slip through
my hands, "a
81 wish you success, Mr.. Fix; it concerns
an important theft
"a magnificent theft" replied the agent
with enthusiasm. Fifty-ive thousand
pounds! We do not often have such a god
send. Thieves become mean-the race of
Sheppards fades away-they risk hanging
nowfor few shiingsr
az Mr.. Fix, you are so earnest that hope
you will succeed" said the Consul, ''but
say again under the conditions, fear you
will find it difficult. You know well, that in
this description, the thief resembles absolute
ly-an honest man"
Consul, great thieves resemble honest
men: You understand that those who have
the faces OF rogues have only one thing to do
they must main honest, or they will be
arrest. d. - The honest faces are the ones TO
be watched after all. A difficult task l ad-
/, mit-itis not trade, it is an art.''
One will see that Fix was not wanting in
dash of seifesteem. .-..- ... -s..--r
~ Meanwhile the quay became animated lit
tie by little. Sailors of different nationalites,
traders, brokers, fellahs, gathered there. The
arrival of the steamer was evidently near. 1t
was then half past ten.
= Z "But it will not arrive said Fix, as be heard
the clock of the port ring
sit caanot be far away said the consul
How long will she remain at SuezP'
'sFour hours; time to tale in coal, From
Suez to Alden at the extremely of the Red
Sea. it is 1910 miles, and they must make pro-
vision for COAL"
"And from Suez, this boat goes to Bonn
bay?' - - 'A-t -a
''Direct without delay
eg 'Welf', said Fix, eff the thief has taken
this route, and this boat, it would enter into
his plan toland at Suez, in order to gain by
another route, the Dutch or French possess
ions in Asia He will NJ no of in pflia on,
English ground
UNLESS he be ashrewd knave," replied the
consul. "a criminal is better concealed in
London, than he would be in any foreign
land"
After these remarks the consul returned to
his Office, only few steps away.
Fix remained alone, filled with a nervous
impatience--by this presentiment so strange,
that the thief was on board the Mongolia.
And, in truth, if the rogue had left England
with the intention OF gaining the New World
-she route by India, less watched, or more
difficult to watch, would have his preference.
Fix was not long left to his reflections, some
quick blasts of the whistle announcing the
coming steamer. The crowd rushed to the
landing. Soon they perceived the gigantic
smell OF the Mongolia passing between the
banks OF the Canal, and, as eleven O'Clock
rung, the steamer dropped her anchor at the
quay.
There were many passengers on board,
some of whom remained on deck to contenl-
plate the picturesque panorama of the city
but the most of them went ashore.
Fix standing clo7e to the landing carefully
scanned all the passengers. At this moment
one approached him, after having vigorously
driven hack the porters who assaulted him with
their offers of service, and asked him politely
il he could direct him to the Office of the Eng
liSh consul At thp Same time he nrpSpnfpd