an unusual hour, for,
according to all precedent, he was not due in Saville Row till
midnight.

Phileas Fogg went straight up to his room and called for
Passe-partout.

Passe-partout did not reply. It was evident this could not refer to
him, it was not time.

"Passe-partout," cried Mr. Fogg again, but without raising his voice;
"this is the second time I have called you," said Mr. Fogg.

"But it is not midnight," replied Passe-partout, producing his watch.

"I know that," replied Fogg, "and I do not blame you. We start for
Dover and Calais in ten minutes."

A sort of grimace contracted the Frenchman's round face; he evidently
did not understand.

"Are you going out, sir," he asked.

"Yes," replied his master; "we are going around the world."

Passe-partout at this announcement opened his eyes to their greatest
extent, held up his arms, and looked the picture of stupefied
astonishment.

"Around the world!" he muttered.

"In eighty days," replied Mr. Fogg; "so we have not a moment to lose."

"But the luggage," said Passe-partout, who was wagging his head
unconsciously from side to side.

"We want no luggage; a carpet-bag will do. Pack up two night-shirts
and three pairs of socks, and the same for yourself. We will buy what
we want as we go along. Bring my mackintosh and travelling-cloak down
with you, and a couple of pairs of strong boots, although we shall
have little or no walking. Look alive."

Passe-partout wished to speak, but could not He left his master's
bedroom, and went upstairs to his own, fell into a chair, and
exclaimed:

"Well, this is coming it pretty strong, and for me too, who wanted to
be quiet!"

Mechanically he set about making preparations for departure. Around
the world in eighty days! Had he engaged himself with a maniac? No--it
was only a joke. But they were going to Dover and to Calais. So far so
good. After all, he did not object to that very much, for it was five
years since he had seen his native land. Perhaps they would even go on
to Paris, and he would be delighted to see the capital again. No doubt
a gentleman so economical of his steps would stop there; but on the
other hand, this hitherto very domestic gentleman was leaving home.
That was a fact.

At eight o'clock Passe-partout had packed the small bag which now
contained his master's luggage and his own, and in a very troubled
frame of mind he quitted his room, closed the door carefully, and went
downstairs to Mr