Part 37 (2/2)

”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 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 s.h.i.+p he could have come by and been in time was the _China_, and she arrived yesterday. Here is a list of the pa.s.sengers, 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 pa.s.sed 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 x.x.xVII.

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

Yes, it was Phileas Fogg in person.

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