The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-08-02
CRAPTER XXX1v.

[Concluded.l
1t is time we should speak of the change
in public opinion, which occurred in the
United Kingdom when they learned that the
thief of the bank, certain Jack Strand, had
been arrested at Edinburg on the 18th OF De-
cember. Three days before, Phleas Fogg
was still criminal that the police followed
with the greatest hostility, and, the thief
once arrested, he became again the most hon
est man in the world, who accomplished
mathematicaly his eccentric voyage round
the world. What surprise! What noise in the
Journalist All the betters for or against, who
had already forgotten the affair, came 10 lie
as by magic; all transactions became again
valuable, all engagements revived; bets were
taken again with great energy and the rame
of Phileas Fogg took new value on Change.
His five colleagues of the Reform Club pass
ed these three days in some inquietude. This
Pheas Fogg, whom they had forgotten, re-
appeared unexpectedly to their eyes. Where
was he at that moment? On the 18th of
December, the day when Jack Strand was
arrested, seventy-seven days had passed since
Mr.. Fogg went away; they had had no news
of him. Had he failed? Had he renounced
the struggle? Or was he still travelling, FOL
lowing the route agreed upon? And Satur-
day, the 21st, at 1875 p. NJ, would he APP
pear as the phantom of exactitude, Oh the
threshold of the saloon of the Reform Club?
Words would fail to portray the anxiety of
the English world, during these three days.
They sent dispatches to Asia-to America,
for news of Mr.. Fogg. They sent morning
andevening to watch the mansion in Saville
Rowe. Nothing. Tie police did not know
even what had become of the detective Fix
who was so unfortunately thrown upon a
ia lse track. But it did not hinder new bets
on large scale. Phileas Fogg, like a race
horse, would win the last heat. He was
II hut,
five, and the old paralytic, Lord Albemarle,
took him at par.
Saturday evening there was crowd in Pail
Mall and the neighboring streets. One would
have said that it was a vast mob of brokers,
permanently established At the first sight
of the Reform Club, circulation was impeded.
They discussed, they disputed, they cried the
rates Of ''Phileas Fogg." The police could
scarcely keep in check the crowd, and as the
hour drew near when hileas Fogg ought to
arrive, it became tremendous.
This evening his five colleagues met at nine
O'Clock in the grand saloon of the Reform
Club. The two bankers, John Sullivan and
Samuel Fallentin-the engineer, Andrew Stu
art, Walter Ralph, director of the Bank of
Engand-the brewer, Thomas Flanagan-all
waited anxiously. At the moment when the
clock in the Saloon marked fifteen minutes
past ten, Andrew Stuart, rising said:
Gentlemen, in 20 minutes the time agreed
on between Mr.. Phileas Fogg and us, will ex-
pire."
cat what hour will the last train from Llv-
erpool arrived" asked Thor as Flanagan.
SAT twenty-three minutes past nine,' an
swered Walter Ralph and the next will not
arrive until midnight
well gentlemen" replied Andrew Stuart,
''if Mr. Fogg had arrived by the 9.23 train he
would be here now. We can then consider
the bet won." .s-
''Wait; do not decide yet;'' said Samuel
Fallentin, you know that our colleague is an
eccentric of the first order. His exactitude
is well known. He never arrives too late or
too soon; and if he should appear here at the
last moment, should not be at all surpris-
ed.''
''And H. said Andrew Stuart, who was as
usual very nervous, ''If / saw him would
not believe it'' "#Et H
Really said Thomas Flanagan. s'the prof.
ect of Mr.. Fogg was fool hardy. With all his
exactitude, he could not provide for some
inevitable delays: detention of two or three
days only would compromise his voyage"
"You take note also that we have never
received any news from our colleague. al
though communication by telegraph is not
wanting in all the length of the route"
HE has lost, gentlemen" answered An
drew Stuart, she has lost, an hundred times.
Admitting even the most favorable chances,
he has scarcely reached America at this hour.
estimate twenty days of delay at the least,
beyond the date agreed upon, and the old
Lord Albermare will lose his e5,000.'
sit is plain" answered Walter Ralph, land
tomorrow we shall have only to present at
the house of Bring Bro. the check of Phileas
Fogg."
At this moment, the clock of the saloon
struck half past ten.
"Five minutes yet" said Andrew Stuart.
The five members of the Reform Club looked
at each other. One could believe that the
beating of their hearts was slightly acceler-
ated; for, even to good players, the game
seemed almost won. But they did not wish
to allow anything to appear; and, ON the
proposal of Samuel Fallentr, they took their
places at a whist table. II would not give
my part of $4,000 in the bet, if one should
offer me e3,999."
The hands marked at this moment thirty
two minutes past ten.
The players had taken their cards, but at
each moment they glanced at the clock. One
could affirm, that with all their security, no
minutes ever appeared SO long.
''Thirty-three minutes past ten," said
Thomas Flanagan, cutting the cards present.
ed by Walter Ralph.
There was moment of silence, the vast sa-
loon of the club was quiet. But, outside,
they heard the hubbub of the crowd, through
which rose now and then sharp cries. The
pendulum fthe clock beat the seconds with
mathematical regularity. Each player count
ed instinctively the seconds which struck his
ear.
"Thirty-four minutes past ten," said John
Sullivan, in voice in which one felt a GER
tain emotion.
A minute more and the bet would be gain
ed. Andrew Stuart and his colleagues gave
up their play They had abandoned the cards.
AT the fortieth second. nothing At the fif-