CHAPTER SEVEN

Shows That Passports Are Useless to Detectives

The detective quickly went to the consul's office.

"Consul," said he, "I believe my man is a passenger on the Mongolia." Fix told him about the passport.

"Well, Mr Fix," replied the consul, "I shall not be sorry to see the thief's face; but perhaps he won't come here. A robber doesn't like to leave evidence behind, and he's not required to have his passport signed."

"If he is as smart as I think he is, consul, he will come."

"To have a visa put in his passport?"

"Yes. Passports are only good for annoying honest folks, and aiding the flight of thieves. But I hope you will not give him a visa."

"Why not? If the passport is real I have no right to refuse."

"Still, I must keep this man here until I can get a warrant to arrest him from London."

"Ah, so that's what you want. But I cannot—"

The consul did not finish his sentence, because two strangers entered the room.

One was the servant Fix had met, and the other held out his passport. The consul took the document and carefully read it.

"You are Mr Phineas Fogg?" said the consul.

"I am."

"And this is your servant?"

"He is: a Frenchman, named Passepartout."

"You are from London?"

"Yes."

"And you are going—"

"To Bombay."

"Very good, sir. You know that you do not need a visa, and that no passport is required."

"I know it, sir," replied Phineas Fogg, "but I wish to prove that I came by Suez."

"Very well, sir."

The consulate signed the passport, and Mr Fogg left.

"Well, he looks and acts like an honest man," replied the consul.

"Possibly, but don't you think he matches the description of the robber?"

"Yes, but, you know, all descriptions—"

"I'll make certain of it," interrupted Fix. "The servant is French, and can't help talking."

Fix started off in search of Passepartout.

Mr Fogg returned to the boat and took his notebook, which contained:

"Left London, Wednesday, October 2nd, at 8.45 p.m.

"Reached Paris, Thursday, October 3rd, at 7.20 a.m.

"Left Paris, Thursday, at 8.40 a.m.

"Reached Turin by Mont Cenis, Friday, October 4th, at 6.35 a.m.

"Left Turin, Friday, at 7.20 a.m.

"Arrived at Brindisi, Saturday, October 5th, at 4 p.m.

"Sailed on the Mongolia, Saturday, at 5 p.m.

"Reached Suez, Wednesday, October 9th, at 11 a.m.

"Total of hours spent, 158; or, in days, six days and a half."

(end of section)