news from him all the time he has been away, although
there are telegraphs all along his route."

"He has lost, gentlemen," said Stuart, "a hundred times over. The only
ship he could have come by and been in time was the _China_, and she
arrived yesterday. Here is a list of the passengers, and Phileas
Fogg's name is not included. On the most favourable computation our
friend can scarcely have reached America. I do not expect him for the
next twenty days, and my Lord Albemarle will lose his five thousand
pounds."

"Then we have nothing to do," replied Ralph, "but to present his
cheque at Baring's to-morrow."

The hands of the clock were then pointing to twenty minutes to nine.

"Five minutes more," said Stuart.

The five friends looked at each other. One could almost hear their
hearts beating, for it must be confessed that even for such seasoned
players the stakes were pretty high, but they did not wish their
anxiety to be remarked, and on Fallentin's suggestion they sat down to
whist.

"I would not give up my four thousand pounds," said Stuart as he sat
down, "if anyone were to offer me three thousand nine hundred and
ninety-nine."

The clock pointed to eighteen minutes to nine.

The players took up their cards, but kept looking at the clock. No
matter how safe they felt, the minutes had never appeared so long.

"8.43," said Flanagan, as he cut the pack Ralph passed to him.

At that moment the silence was profound, but the cries of the crowd
outside soon rose again. The clock beat out the seconds with
mathematical regularity, and each of the players checked every tick of
the pendulum.

"8.44," said Sullivan, in a voice which betrayed his nervousness.

One minute more and they would have won their bet. They laid down
their cards and counted the seconds.

At the fortieth second no news; at the fiftieth still nothing. At the
fifty-fifth second a loud roar was heard from the street mingled with
cheers and oaths.

All the players rose simultaneously.

At the fifty-seventh second the door of the room was thrust open, and
before the pendulum had marked the minute Phileas Fogg advanced into
the room, followed to the door by an excited crowd who had forced
their way in, and he said in his usual calm tone,

"Here I am, gentlemen."

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Showing how Phileas Fogg gained only Happiness by his Tour round the
World.

Yes, it was Phileas Fogg in person.

Our readers will recollect tha