leagues at the Reform Club. He had a motive in securing
your unconscious complicity."

"But why?" said Passe-partout.

"For this reason. On the 28th of last September, the sum of fifty-five
thousand pounds was stolen from the Bank of England, by a person whose
description is fortunately known. That description tallies exactly
with Mr. Fogg's appearance."

"Absurd," exclaimed Passe-partout, striking the table with his fist;
"my master is the most honest man in the world."

"What do you know about it?" replied Fix. "You only entered his
service on the day he left on a mad excursion, without luggage, and
carrying an immense sum in bank-notes; and do you dare to maintain
that he is an honest man?"

"Yes, yes," repeated the other mechanically.

"Do you wish to be arrested as an accomplice?"

Passe-partout clutched his head with both hands; he was stupefied. He
did not dare to look at the detective. Phileas Fogg a robber! This
brave, generous man, the rescuer of Aouda, a thief? And yet
circumstantial evidence was strong. Passe-partout did not wish to
believe it. He could not believe in his master's guilt.

"Well, then, what do you want me to do?" he said, with an effort.

"Look here," said Fix: "I have tracked Mr. Fogg so far, but as yet I
have not received a warrant, which I asked to be sent from London. You
must help me to keep your master in Hong Kong."

"But I--"

"If so, I will share with you the reward of two thousand pounds
promised by the bank."

"Never!" replied Passe-partout, who attempted to rise, but fell back
utterly exhausted and stupefied.

"Mr. Fix," he stammered, "even if you have told the truth, supposing
my master is the thief you are searching for--which I deny--I have
been, I am still in his service; he is kind and generous to me, and I
will never betray him for all the gold in the world."

"You refuse, then?"

"Absolutely."

"Well, then," said Fix, "forget all I have said. And now let us have a
drink."

"Yes, let us have another glass."

Passe-partout felt that the liquor was overcoming him more and more.
Fix having made up his mind that he must be separated from his master
at any price, determined to finish the matter. On the table were some
pipes of opium. Fix handed one of these to Passe-partout, who took a
few puffs and fell back perfectly insensible.

"At last," muttered Fix, as Passe-partout collapsed. "Mr. Fogg will
not hear of the change of time for the sailing of the _C