American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-09-24
TOUR OF THE WORLD IN
EIGHTY DAYS.
JULES vERNE's GREAT STORY.
CHAPTER XVI.-CoNTINuEp.


trees, teak wood, giant mimosas, ant
tree like ferns covered the country il
the foreground, and in the background
there stood out in relief the graceful
outline of the mountains. Along the
shore there swarmed by thousands those
precious swallows whose eatable nest
form dish much sought for in the Ce
lestial empire. But all this varied spec.
tacle offered to the eyes by the Anda
man group passed quickly. and the Ran
= COON swiftly pursued her way towards
the Straits of Malacca, which were to
give her access to the Chinese seas.
During this trip what was detective
Fix doing, SO unluckily dragged into a
voyage round the world? On leaving
Calcutta. after having left instructions
to forward the warrant to him at Hong
Kong. if it should arrive. he succeeded
in getting aboard the Rangoon without
being perceived by Passepartout, and
he hoped that he might conceal his
presence until the arrival of the steam
er. In fact. it would have been diff
cult for him to explain how he was on
board, without awakening the suspi-
cions of Passepartout, who thought he
was in Bombay. But he was led to re-
new his acquaintance with the good
fellow by the very logic of circumstan-
ces Howl We will see.
All the hopes, all the desires
OF the detective were now con-
centrated on q single point in the
world. Hong Kong-for the steamer
would stop too short n time at Singa-
pore for him to operate in that city.
The arrest of the robber must then be
made in Hong Kong, or he would es-
cape irrecoverably.
-%.D s.1,
soil, but the last he would find on the
road. Beyond, China. Japan. America
would offer n pretty certain refuge to Mr..
Fogg. At Hong Kong, if he should
finally find there the warrant of arrest,
which was evidently running after him,
Fix would arrest Fogg, and put him in
the hands of the local police. No diff
Guilty there But after Hong Kong a
simple order of arrest would not be
sufficient. An extradition order would
be necessary. Thence delays and ob-
stacles of every kind, of which the
rogue would take advantage to escape
finally. If he failed at Hong Kong it
would he, if not impossible. at least
very difficult to attempt it again with
any degree of success
.Then," repeated Fix, during the
long hours that he passed in his cabin,
.'then, either the warrant will be at
Hong Kong and will arrest my man,
must. at all hazards, delay his depar-
ture, have failed at Bombay, have
failed at Calcutta! If l miss at Hong
Kong, shall lose my reputation! Cost
what it may, must succeed. But what
means shall employ to delay, if it is
necessary, the departure of this accursed
Fogg"
As last resort, Fix had decided to
tell everything to Passepartout, to let
him know who the master was that he
was serving, and whose accomplish he
certainly was not. Passepartout, en-
lightened by this revelation, fearing to
be compromised, would without doubt
take sides with him, Fix. But it was g.
very hazardous means, which could
only be employed in default of any
other. One word from Passepartout to
his master would have been sufficient
to compromise the affair irrevocably.
The detective was then extremely en-
barrassed when the presence of Mrs.
Aouda on board of the Rangoon. in
company with Phileas Fogg, opened
new perspectives to him.
Who was this woman? What combi-
nation of circumstances had made her
Fo0g's companion? The meeting had
evidently taken place between Bombay
and Calcutta. But at what point of the
peninsula? Was it chance which had
brought together Phileas Fogg and the
young traveller? Had not this journey
across India, on the contrary, been I'M
dertaken by this gentleman with the
aim of joining this charming person?
For she was charming! Fix had good
view of her in the audience hall of the
Calcutta tribunal.
1t may be comprehended to what a
point the detective would be entang-
led. He asked himself if there was not
a criminal abduction in this affair. Yesi
that must be it! This idea once fas-
tened in the mind of Fix, and he rec
ognized all the advantage that he could
get from this circumstance. Whether
this young woman was married or not,
there was an abduction, and it was
possible to put the abductor in such |
could not extricate himself by paying
money.
But it was not necessary to await the |
arrival of the Rangoon at Hong Kong.
This Fogg had the detestablc habit of |
jumping from one vessel into another, |
and before the affair was entered upon |
he might be far enough off.
The important thing was to warn the |
English authorities. and to signal the |
Rangoon before her arrival. Now.
nothing would be easier to accomplish, |
rs the steamer would put in at Singa- |
pore, which is connected with the Chi
ncse coast by telegraph line.
But, before acting, and to be more |
certain, Fix determined to question
He knew it was not |
very difficult to start the young man /
talking. and he decided to throw off !
the incognito that he had maintained |
until that time. Now, there was no |
time to lose. 1t was October 81, and the ;
next day the Rangoon would drop an
Choir at Singapore.
This very day, October 80. Fix, leav-
ing his cabin, went upon deck. with the
of meeting Passepartout first.
with signs of the greatest surprise.
was walking in the for
ward part of the vessel, when the de-
tective rushed toward him exclaiming:
lis this you on the Rangoon?''
Monsieur Fix aboardr' replied
very much surprised, rec
ognizing his old acquaintance of the
what. left you at Bombay, and 1
meet You again on the route TO Hong
Kong! Are you making also the tour
Of the worId?''
mo, no." replied Fix. 81 expect
10 stop at Hong Kong. at least for a few
Tvs"
.'Ah" said Passepartout, who seemed
for moment. but why
have ! not seen you aboard since we
eft Calcutta!' J.