then, all the more reason we should not lose
any time," he added, as he rose from his chair.

"Fifty-five thousand pounds," continued Fix, pressing his companion
into his seat again, as a flask of brandy was placed before them; "and
if I succeed I shall get a percentage of two thousand pounds. If you
will assist me I will give you five hundred."

"Assist you!" exclaimed Passe-partout, as he stared wildly at the
detective.

"Yes, assist me to keep Mr. Fogg here for some hours longer."

"What is that you say?" said Passe-partout. "Not content with tracking
my master, do these gentlemen suspect his good face and wish to put
obstacles in his way? I am ashamed of them."

"What are you talking about?" said Fix.

"I say it is a piece of meanness; they might just as well pick Mr.
Fogg's pocket."

"That is just the very thing we want to do."

"Then it is a conspiracy, is it?" exclaimed Passe-partout, who was
getting excited by the brandy which he unconsciously had swallowed, "a
regular conspiracy; and they call themselves gentlemen and friends!"

Fix began to feel very puzzled.

"Friends!" exclaimed Passe-partout, "members of the Reform Club,
indeed! Do you know, Mr. Fix, that my master is an honest man, and
when he has made a bet he wins it fairly?"

"But can you guess who I am?" said Fix, looking steadily at
Passe-partout.

"An agent of the members of the club, whose business it is to hinder
my master; and a dirty job it is, too; so although I have found you
out long ago, I did not like to betray you to Mr. Fogg."

"Then he knows nothing about it," said Fix quickly.

"Nothing," replied Passe-partout, emptying his glass once more.

The detective passed his hand over his eyes and considered what he was
to do. Passe-partout appeared sincere, and this rendered his plan all
the more difficult; he evidently was not his master's accomplice. "He
will, therefore, help me," said Fix to himself.

There was no time to lose. At any risk Fogg must be stopped at Hong
Kong.

"Listen," said Fix, in a sharp tone; "I am not what you think me."

"Bah!" said Passe-partout.

"I am a detective, sent out by the police authorities in London."

"You a detective?"

"Yes, I can prove it. Here is my authority;" and drawing a paper from
his pocketbook, he exhibited his instructions to the stupefied
Passe-partout, who was unable to utter a word.

"This wager of Mr. Fogg's," continued Fix, "is merely to blindfold you
and his col