his departure, and they had had no news of him? Had he given in, and
renounced the struggle, or was he continuing the journey at a more
reasonable rate, and would he appear on Saturday, the 21st of
December, at a quarter to nine in the evening, as agreed upon?

We cannot depict the intense agitation which moved all classes of
society during those three days. Telegrams were sent to America and
Asia for news of Mr. Fogg, and people were sent, morning and night, to
Saville Row; but there was no news. Even the police did not know what
had become of Fix. But all these things did not prevent bets being
made, even to a greater amount than formerly. Bonds were quoted no
longer at a hundred per cent. discount, but went up to ten and five;
and even old Lord Albemarle was betting at evens.

So that Saturday night a great crowd was assembled in Pall Mall and
the Reform Club. Traffic was impeded; disputes, arguments, and bets
were raging in every direction. The police had the greatest difficulty
to keep back the crowd, and as the hour when Mr. Fogg was due
approached, the excitement rose to fever-heat.

That evening that gentleman's five friends had assembled in the
drawing-room of the club. There were the two bankers, John Sullivan
and Samuel Fallentin; Andrew Stuart, the engineer; Gauthier Ralph, the
director of the Bank of England; and Thomas Flanagan, the brewer; all
awaiting Mr. Fogg's return with the greatest anxiety.

At twenty minutes past eight Stuart rose and said: "Gentlemen, in
twenty-five minutes the time agreed upon will have expired."

"At what time was the last train due from Liverpool?" asked Flanagan.

"At 7.23," replied Ralph; "and the next does not arrive till past
midnight."

"Well, then, gentlemen," replied Stuart, "if Mr. Fogg had arrived by
the 7.23, he would have been here before now, so we may look upon the
bet as won."

"Do not be in too great a hurry," replied Fallentin. "You know that
our friend is very eccentric, and his punctuality is proverbial. I,
for one, shall be astonished if he does not turn up at the last
minute."

"For my part," said Stuart, who was very nervous, "if I should see him
I could not believe it was he."

"In fact," replied Flanagan, "Mr. Fogg's project was insane. No matter
how punctual he may be, he cannot prevent some delay; and a day or two
would throw all his arrangements out of gear."

"And you will remark besides," said Sullivan, "that we have not
received any