CHAPTER FOUR

Phineas Fogg Astonishes Passepartout, His Servant

After winning forty pounds at whist, Phineas Fogg left the club at twenty-five minutes past seven. Passepartout, who had studied his duties, was surprised to see his master at this early hour.

Mr Fogg went to his bedroom, and called Passepartout. There was no answer, so he called again. Passepartout appeared.

"I've called you twice," observed his master.

"But it's not midnight," replied the other.

"I know; I don't blame you. We start for Dover and Calais in ten minutes."

"Monsieur is going to leave home?"

"Yes," replied Phineas Fogg. "We are going around the world."

Passepartout was astonished. "Round the world!" he said quietly.

"In eighty days," said Mr Fogg. "So we haven't a moment to lose. We'll only take a bag with some clothes. We'll buy clothes on our way. Bring me my raincoat and some good shoes."

Passepartout tried to reply, but couldn't. He made the preparations. Around the world in eighty days! Was his master a fool? No. Was this a joke? They were going to Calais; good! Passepartout had not returned to France for five years. He would be happy to see it again.

At eight o'clock Passepartout had packed the bag. Mr Fogg was ready. Under his arm he had a copy of Bradshaw's Continental Railway Steam Transit and General Guide, which had timetables of steamers and railways.

"Have you forgotten anything?" he asked.

"Nothing, monsieur."

"Good! Take this bag. Take good care of it, for there are twenty thousand pounds in it."

They took a cab to the railway station. Before they entered the station, a beggar woman with a child approached and asked for some money.

Mr Fogg took the forty pounds he had won at whist, and gave them to the beggar. "Here, my good woman. I'm glad I met you."

Passepartout was touched by his master's action.

Two first-class tickets were bought. The five friends were there to say goodbye. "Well, gentlemen," Mr Fogg said, "I will return in less than eighty days."

The night was dark, and Passepartout was still astonished. Suddenly he cried out.

"What's the matter?" asked Mr Fogg.

"In my hurry, I forgot to turn off the gas in my room!"

"Very well. It will burn at your expense."

(end of section)