登陆注册
3554200000037

第37章

IN WHICH FIX COMES FACE TO FACE WITH PHILEAS FOGG.

While these events were passing at the opium-house,Mr Fogg,unconscious of the danger he was in of losing the steamer,was quietly escorting Aouda about the streets of the English quarter,making the necessary purchases for the long voyage before them.It was all very well for an Englishman like Mr Fogg to make the tour of the world with a carpet-bag;a lady could not be expected to travel comfortably under such conditions.He acquitted his task with characteristic serenity,and invariably replied to the remonstrances of his fair companion,who was confused by his patience and generosity,——

It is in the interest of my journey-a part of my programme.

The purchases made,they returned to the hotel,where they dined at a sumptuously served table-d'h?te;after which Aouda,shaking hands with her protector after the English fashion,retired to her room for rest.Mr Fogg absorbed himself throughout the evening in the perusal of the Times and Illustrated London News.

Had he been capable of being astonished at anything,it would have been not to see his servant return at bed-time.But,knowing that the steamer was not to leave for Yokohama until the next morning,he did not disturb himself about the matter.

When Passepartout did not appear the next morning to answer his master's bell,Mr Fogg,not betraying the least vexation,contented himself with taking his carpet-bag,calling Aouda,and sending for a palanquin.

It was then eight o'clock;at half-past nine,it being then high tide,theCarnatic'would leave the harbour.Mr Fogg and Aouda got into the palanquin,their luggage being brought after on a wheelbarrow,and half-an-hour later stepped upon the quay whence they were to embark.Mr Fogg then learned that theCarnatic'had sailed the evening before.He had expected to find not only the steamer,but his domestic,and was forced to give up both;but no sign of disappointment appeared on his face,and he merely remarked to Aouda,It is an accident,madam;nothing more.

At this moment a man who had been observing him attentively approached.It was Fix,who,bowing,addressed Mr Fogg:Were you not,like me,sir,a passenger by the'Rangoon',which arrived yesterday?

I was,sir,replied Mr Fogg coldly.But I have not the honour——

Pardon me;I thought I should find your servant here.

Do you know where he is,sir?asked Aouda anxiously.

What!responded Fix,feigning surprise.Is he not with you?

No,said Aouda.He has not made his appearance since yesterday.Could he have gone on board the'Carnatic'without us?

Without you,madam?answered the detective.Excuse me,did you intend to sail in the'Carnatic'?

Yes,sir.

So did I,madam,and I am excessively disappointed.The'Carnatic',its repairs being completed,left Hong Kong twelve hours before the stated time,without any notice being given;and we must now wait a week for another steamer.

As he saida week'Fix felt his heart leap for joy.Fogg detained at Hong Kong a week!There would be time for the warrant to arrive,and fortune at last favoured the representative of the law.His horror may be imagined when he heard Mr Fogg say,in his placid voice,But there are other vessels besides the'Carnatic',it seems to me,in the harbour of Hong Kong.

And,offering his arm to Aouda,he directed his steps toward the docks in search of some craft about to start.Fix,stupefied,followed;it seemed as if he were attached to Mr Fogg by an invisible thread.Chance,however,appeared really to have abandoned the man it had hitherto served so well.For three hours Phileas Fogg wandered about the docks,with the determination,if necessary,to charter a vessel to carry him to Yokohama;but he could only find vessels which were loading or unloading,and which could not therefore set sail.Fix began to hope again.

But Mr Fogg,far from being discouraged,was continuing his search,resolved not to stop if he had to resort to Macao,when he was accosted by a sailor on one of the wharves.

Is your honour looking for a boat?

Have you a boat ready to sail?

Yes,your honour;a pilot-boat-No.43-the best in the harbour.

Does she go fast?

Between eight and nine knots the hour.Will you look at her?

Yes.

Your honour will be satisfied with her.Is it for a sea excursion?

No;for a voyage.

A voyage?

Yes;will you agree to take me to Yokohama?

The sailor leaned on the railing,opened his eyes wide,and said,Is your honour joking?

No.I have missed the'Carnatic',and I must get to Yokohama by the 14th at the latest,to take the boat for San Francisco.

I am sorry,said the sailor;but it is impossible.

I offer you a hundred pounds per day,and an additional reward of two hundred pounds if I reach Yokohama in time.

Are you in earnest?

Very much so.

同类推荐
  • 杂占

    杂占

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 处囊诀

    处囊诀

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 道德真经集注杂说

    道德真经集注杂说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大清国籍条例

    大清国籍条例

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 玉箓大斋三日九朝仪

    玉箓大斋三日九朝仪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 维洛那二绅士

    维洛那二绅士

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 创造者的无名幻想序承

    创造者的无名幻想序承

    Q:请问这是一本怎样的什么小说?A:这是一本讲述魔法少【大】年【叔】被动到主动的后宫向日常搞笑小说。Q:请问女主角有什么萌点?A:请自行发觉……对不起,放下板凳,有话好好说。有无口无表情的反差萌金发幼女,玉碎粉碎大喝彩①的巨乳龙,黑皮犬【?】耳的乖巧萝莉,以及抄袭阳炎②的内向四臂少女。=①指《游戏王》中海马濑人的一句话。②作者是半个阳炎厨。详见歌曲“白发赤目的角色怎么想都是抄袭了阳炎Project”。③扉页寄语中我添加的话用了《逆境无赖开司》的叙述风格。
  • 重生影后小甜妻

    重生影后小甜妻

    十八线女演员苏倾情重生回到五年前。重生后,她打算要弥补上辈子的遗憾,努力拍戏,拒绝小鲜肉,要继续上一世未完成的梦想。一不小心,在车祸中救了高富帅总裁。救命之恩,自当以身相许!从此,抱着高富帅的金大腿,她在娱乐圈节节攀升,红透半边天!
  • 江山风雨情之雍正与年妃

    江山风雨情之雍正与年妃

    他,爱新觉罗•胤禛,历经九龙夺嫡,最终君临天下;她,名门闺秀,才貌双全。原本天作之合,佳偶一对,却阴差阳错,与爱擦肩。一个错付真心,一个心字成灰,一步错,步步过,错过今生,错过来世,何时才能真心真意爱一回?姐妹情深,兄妹情深,侯门一入深似海,爱恨情仇无止休。天赐良缘,天作之合,千里姻缘一线牵,鸳鸯误点为哪般。爱新觉罗•胤禛、年冰凝;爱新觉罗•胤祯,年玉盈,两兄弟、两姐妹,阴差阳错遇见你,生生世世不分离。本文讲述雍正皇帝与年妃的爱情故事,基本尊重历史,不宫斗,不滥情,不虐恋,数字军团靠边站,康熙也只打打酱油,偶尔搞笑,基本煸情,志矢不渝、无怨无悔,只为写出我心目中的四爷,写出我心目中的爱情。
  • 金钱不能买什么

    金钱不能买什么

    随着改革与社会转型的深化,现实世界也越来越市场化,我们越来越信奉市场价值,似乎市场掌握着通往繁荣和自由的金钥匙,市场价值观主导着社会生活和公民生活的各个领域。那么,是否存在一些金钱不应当购买的东西?这个世界和我们的生活到底有没有金钱不能衡量的无价之宝与社会规则?对此,美国学者迈克尔·桑德尔在《金钱不能买什么》一书中作了十分可贵而深入的探讨,本刊摘编若干精彩章节,以飨读者。引言 市场与公共的善有一些东西是金钱买不到的,但是现如今,这样的东西却不多了。今天,几乎每样东西都在待价而沽。
  • 魔法青春正当时

    魔法青春正当时

    青梅竹马偏偏因为魔法被拆开,十年后却不相识?面对家庭的破碎,慕颜希选择不拖累正怜爱自己的沐之逸,张文也渐渐通过对慕颜希的认识爱上这个人。在新情与旧情的相互争夺下,以及面对那早在十年前就已经清光的家庭下,慕颜希究竟要怎么做?所做的任何事,都只不过是活下去罢了
  • 虐渣从今天开始吧!

    虐渣从今天开始吧!

    [我开新坑了!旧坑就这样摆着吧,我可以授权随便写同人文,只要不要太扯都行。]天哪,创造了三千苍穹,一万小世界的天道大人居然被系统绑定了,秉承着:“闲着也是闲着,穿就穿呗。”的原则,天道大人愉快的开始了她的快穿之旅。【PS:女主性格冷漠中带着一丝中二,高傲中带着意思逗比。(后妈作者可能会崩人设,至于男主,就假装有个男主吧,至于是谁,我也不造哦】
  • 当你孤单谁会想起你

    当你孤单谁会想起你

    《当你孤单谁会想起你》这部合集就包括了几乎青春小说的所有风格。青春校园说起来就是疼痛的懵懂,年少友情跌跌撞撞的想念,孤单少女的满怀心事……为避免剧透,我只说感受。同样是写作,有人追求特立独行语不惊人死不休的文字,有人刻画生动有趣令人难忘的人物,也有人语言平平人物随意,但又在随意之间塑造出一个个精彩绝伦的故事。
  • 大佛顶如来放光悉怛多般怛罗大神力都摄一切咒王陀罗尼经大威德最

    大佛顶如来放光悉怛多般怛罗大神力都摄一切咒王陀罗尼经大威德最

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 高冷总裁低调爱

    高冷总裁低调爱

    十二年前他失去一切,无奈远走他乡。十二年后,他化身商界大佬归来。谁知深爱的那个女人却将她忘得一干二净。对外他残酷冷血,在她面前却像个孩子。他将她变相囚禁在别墅里,天天求亲亲求抱抱。她多次想逃,却被抓了回来。他说,“你说过要给我生个孩子,说过的话就得算数!”