There were about
twenty of these stupefied smokers altogether.

Fix and Passe-partout perceived that they had entered a smoking-house,
patronised by those wretched idiots devoted to one of the most
injurious vices of humanity--the smoking of opium, which the English
merchants sell every year to the value of one million four hundred
thousand pounds. The Chinese Government has vainly endeavoured by
stringent laws to remedy the evil, but in vain. The habit has
descended from the rich to the poorest classes, and now opium is
smoked everywhere at all times by men and women, and those accustomed
to it cannot do without it A great smoker can consume eight pipes a
day, but he dies in five years.

It was to one of these dens that Fix and Passe-partout had come for
refreshment; the latter had no money, but accepted his companion's
treat, hoping to return the civility at some future time. Fix ordered
two bottles of port, to which the Frenchman paid considerable
attention, while Fix, more cautious, watched his companion narrowly.
They talked upon many subjects, and particularly respecting Fix's
happy determination to sail in the _Carnatic_; and that put
Passe-partout in mind that he ought to go and inform his master
respecting the alteration in the time of the steamer's departure,
which, as the bottles were empty, he proceeded to do.

"Just one moment," said Fix, detaining him.

"What do you want, Mr. Fix?"

"I want to speak to you seriously."

"Seriously!" exclaimed Passe-partout. "Well, then, let us talk
to-morrow, I have no time to-day."

"You had better wait," said Fix; "it concerns your master."

Passe-partout looked closely at his companion, and as the expression
of his face was peculiar he sat down again.

"What have you got to say to me?" he said.

Fix placed his hand on his companion's arm, and said, in a low voice,
"You have guessed who I am, eh?"

"Rather," replied Passe-partout.

"Well, then, I am going to tell you everything."

"Yes, now that I know everything, my friend. That's pretty good.
However, go on; but first let me tell you that those gentlemen have
sent you on a wild-goose chase."

"It is evident that you do not know how large the sum in question is,"
said Fix.

"Oh yes, but I do," said Passe-partout, "it is twenty thousand
pounds."

"Fifty-five thousand," replied Fix, shaking the Frenchman's hand.

"What!" exclaimed Passe-partout, "has Mr. Fogg risked fifty-five
thousand pounds? Well,