, though he is a colonel,"
added Passe-partout.

"Mr. Fix," replied Mrs. Aouda, "Mr. Fogg would permit nobody to
interfere with his quarrel. He has declared that he will come back to
America to find out that man who insulted him. If then he sees Colonel
Proctor, we cannot prevent a meeting which might have most deplorable
results. They must not see each other."

"You are right, madam," replied Fix; "a meeting would spoil
everything. Whether victor or not, Mr. Fogg would be delayed, and--"

"And," added Passe-partout, "that would just play into the hands of
the Reform Club. In four days we shall be in New York. If during that
time my master does not leave his car, the chances are he will not
meet the American. At any rate, we must try to prevent a meeting."

The conversation ceased, for Mr. Fogg just then awoke and looked out
of window at the snow. Shortly afterwards Passe-partout whispered to
the detective, "Would you really fight for him?"

"I would do anything in the world to get him back to Europe alive,"
replied the detective in a determined tone.

Passe-partout shuddered, but his confidence in his master was
unshaken.

And now the question was, how could they detain Mr. Fogg in the car
and prevent him meeting the Colonel? It ought not to be a very
difficult matter, for Phileas was naturally of a sedentary
disposition. However, the detective found a way, for shortly
afterwards he said to Mr. Fogg:

"The time passes very slowly."

"Yes," replied Fogg, "but it does pass."

"On board the steamer," continued the detective, "you used to like a
game of whist."

"Yes," replied Fogg, "but here I have neither cards nor partners."

"Ah, we can easily purchase cards. As for partners, if madam can take
a hand--"

"Certainly," replied the young lady. "I know whist, it is part of an
English education."

"And," continued Fix, "I also have some little knowledge of the game,
so we can play dummy."

"As you like," said Fogg, delighted to play his favourite game even in
the train.

Passe-partout was immediately despatched to the steward, and he
quickly returned with two packs of cards, some markers, and a board
covered with cloth.

The game commenced, Mrs. Aouda played fairly well, and was
complimented by Phileas. As for the detective, he was a first-rate
player, and a worthy opponent of Mr. Fogg.

"Now," thought Passe-partout, "we have got him down and he won't
move."

At eleven o'clock in the morning the