4 Introducing Detective Fix

CHAPTER 4 Introducing Detective Fix The whirlwind trip had begun! In a mere four days of traveling, Passepartout and Phileas had already left Europe. They had traveled by train to Dover and then sailed to Paris from there. From Paris they took at rain to Turin, Italy. Another train carried them

through Italy to Brindisi, where they boarded a steamer called the Mongolia. The Mongolia was due to arrive at the Suez Canal on Wednesday, October 9, at exactly eleven o'clock in the morning. It was one of the fastest steamers that the Peninsular and Oriental Company owned. While the boat moved toward the Suez, two men walked up and down the canal. One was the British diplomat for the area. His name was Stephenson. The other was one of the detectives the Bank of England had sent around the world looking for the robber. His name was Fix. Mr. Fix was a short man with small eyes and bushy eyebrows that twitched constantly. Despite his mouse-like appearance, he was a smart detective. It was his job to watch every single passenger that landed in Suez. He was to report anyone who looked like he might be the robber.

"So, Stephenson," Fix said for the twentieth time, "you say that this steamer is always on time?" Mr. Stephenson sighed. "Yes, Mr. Fix. That is correct. If anything, the Mongolia sometimes gets here ahead of time." "And it comes directly from Brindisi, Italy?" the detective asked. "Again, that is correct. The ship collects the mail and then leaves at five o'clock on Saturday afternoon. The schedule is always the same. The Mongolia should be here at exactly eleven," Stephenson said. "Have patience, Mr. Fix. Anyway, I don't see how you're going to find the man you're looking for with the description you have of him. He could be anyone. There are many gentlemen who travel here from Italy." "Ah!" Fix said quickly, "but one just knows, sir, when they're in the company of a bad man. One has a scent of them—a sixth

sense that combines hearing, seeing, and smelling! That's how I can tell." "Even if the man is a gentleman?" Stephenson asked. "I shall sniff the man right out, even if he is a gentleman!" Fix said. It was now half past ten. The wharf was getting busy. Sailors, merchants, shipbuilders, and porters all walked by. Detective Fix looked carefully at each person who passed him. "The Mongolia still isn't here!" Fix said. "The ship will be here on time," Stephenson repeated. "How long does it stop at Suez?" Fix asked. "For four hours. Just long enough to get a new supply of coal," Stephenson answered. "And then the steamer travels directly to Bombay?" "It stops in Aden for more coal, but then it goes on to Bombay," Stephenson said.

"Good," said Fix. "If the robber is on board, he'll probably get off here. He'll want to make his way to Asia, where he can't be caught, rather than India, which is part of the Queen's empire." "Unless he stayed in England to hide," Stephenson replied. "Not likely!" Fix said. "Not likely!" Stephenson went back to his office and left Fix alone on the wharf. Fix paced back and forth on the docks, thinking. Soon a few sharp whistles blew. The Mongolia was here! The porters rushed onto the dock and a number of boats rowed out to meet the steamer. The Mongolia dropped her anchor in Suez at exactly eleven o'clock—just as Stephenson had said it would. Fix stood back and watched everyone. After pushing his way through the crowd, one of the passengers came up to him. It was Passepartout.

"Excuse me, sir. Where might I find the British passport office?" He held out a passport that needed to be stamped. The detective took the passport and asked, "Is this yours?" "No, sir," Passepartout said. "It's the monsieur's—my boss's." "Who is your boss?" Fix asked. "Mr. Phileas Fogg, sir. He stayed on board," Passepartout replied. "Well, he must go see the British diplomat in person to get his passport stamped," Fix said. "It's just over there—that house on the corner." "Thank you, sir. He won't be happy about this at all!" Passepartout pushed his way back through the crowds to tell Phileas that he had to visit the office himself. Fix, too, made his way to the corner house. He was curious about the gentleman who had sent his butler to get his