miles
from Rothal, at a place where there were many bungalows and huts
erected. The guard passed along the line, crying out, "All change
here!"

Phileas Fogg looked at Sir Francis Cromarty, who did not appear to
understand this unexpected halt.

Passe-partout, not less astonished, leaped down, and in a moment or
two returned, exclaiming, "There is no railway beyond this place,
sir."

"What do you mean?" inquired Sir Francis.

"I mean that the train does not go any farther."

The general immediately got out. Phileas Fogg followed quietly. Both
these gentlemen accosted the guard.

"Where are we?" asked Sir Francis.

"At the village of Kholby, sir," replied the guard.

"Why do we stop here?"

"Because the line is not finished beyond."

"Not finished! How is that?"

"There are about fifty miles yet to be laid between this point and
Allahabad, where we take the train again."

"The papers announced the line complete."

"I cannot help that, sir; the papers were mistaken."

"But you book people 'through' from Bombay to Calcutta," persisted Sir
Francis, who was waxing angry.

"Certainly we do; but it is an understood thing that the passengers
provide their own conveyance between Kholby and Allahabad."

Sir Francis was furious. Passe-partout would have liked to have
knocked the guard down, if he had been able. He did not dare to look
at his master.

"We had better get on, Sir Francis," said Mr. Fogg; "we must get to
Allahabad somehow; let us see how we can do so."

"It strikes me that this delay will upset your arrangements
considerably, Mr. Fogg," replied Sir Francis.

"Oh dear no! all this has been discounted," replied Fogg.

"What! did you know that the line was unfinished?"

"No; but I was quite sure that some obstacles would crop up to retard
me. Nothing is yet lost I have two days in reserve. The steamer does
not leave Calcutta for Hong Kong until the 23rd, at mid-day. This is
only the 22nd, and we shall reach Calcutta in good time even now."

What could be urged against such an assured reply as this? It was only
too evident that the railway ceased at that point. Newspapers are so
fond of anticipating, and in this case they had been decidedly
premature in announcing the completion of the line. The majority of
the passengers had been made aware of the existing state of things,
and provided themselves with conveyance accordingly, whatever they
could obtain--"palkigharies" with four wheels, waggon