Around the World in Eighty Days Chapter 20

**SPEAKER_1** (0:21)
CHAPTER XX. 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 Aude 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 was in the interest of my journey, a part of my program. The purchases made, they returned to the hotel, where they dined at a sumptuously served table de heure, after which, Aouda, shaking hands with her protector after the English fashion, retired to her room for rest. Mr. Fogg absorbed himself through 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 bedtime, 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, contended himself with taking his carpet bag, calling Aouda, and sending for a pelican. It was then eight o'clock. At half past nine, it being then high tide, the carnatic would leave the harbour. Mr. Fogg and Aouda got into the pelican, the 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 the carnatic had sailed that 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've not the honour. Pardon me, I thought I should find your servant here.
Do you know where he is, sir? asked Ouda anxiously. What? responded Fix, feigning surprise. Is he not with you? No, said Ouda. 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 on 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, then we must now wait a week for another steamer. As he said, a week, Fix felt his heart leap for joy. Fogg detained at Hong Kong for a week. There would be time for the warrant to arrive, and Fortunet last favored the representative of the law.
His horror may be imagined when he heard Mr. Fogg say in his placid voice, but there are the vessels beside the Carnatic, it seems to me, in the harbor of Hong Kong. And offering his arm to Aura, 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 Macau, when he was accosted by a sailor on one of the wharves.
Is Your Honor looking for a boat? Have you a boat ready to sail? Yes, Your Honor, a pilot boat, number forty-three, the best in the harbor. Does she go fast? Between eight and nine knots the hour, will you look at her? Yes. Your Honor 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 Honor joking? No. I have missed the Carnatic and I must get to Yokohama by the fourteenth at the latest to take the boat to San Francisco.