I should not wonder if it were about the Alabama, despite the fact that that question is settled."

"It is evidently a meeting," said Fix, "and its object must be an exciting one.

At this moment a man who had been observing him attentively approached.

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."

Mr. Fogg then learned that the Carnatic had sailed the evening before.

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.

It was then eight o'clock; at half-past nine, it being then high tide, the Carnatic would leave the harbour.

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.

But, knowing that the steamer was not to leave for Yokohama until the next morning, he did not disturb himself about the matter.

Had he been capable of being astonished at anything, it would have been not to see his servant return at bedtime.

Mr. Fogg absorbed himself throughout the evening in the perusal of The Times and Illustrated London News.

The purchases made, they returned to the hotel, where they dined at a sumptuously served table-d'hote; after which Aouda, shaking hands with her protector after the English fashion, retired to her room for rest.

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 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.

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.

Fix, seeing that he must, at all hazards, be separated from his master, wished to entirely overcome him.

Passepartout felt himself yielding more and more to the effects of the liquor.

"Yes; let us drink!"

"Consider that I've said nothing," said Fix; "and let us drink."

"I refuse."