CHAPTER:2 THE WAGER || INFINITY SERIES || AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Around the World in 80 Days Chapter 2 The Wager At Phileas Fogg's mansion, Passepartout had read and memorized the card listing his master's daily routine. He knew that Mr. Fogg would not be back until exactly midnight, so Passepartout set about keeping himself busy until his services were needed again. Passepartout had a pleasant face and a well-built, muscular body. He had tumbled brown hair, blue eyes, and a ruddy complexion. In his early years, Passepartout had been a sort of vagrant and was not at all brash or snobby. He had already worked in ten English houses, but so far, he had failed to find the piece he was looking for. He was happy to have finally found a master who suited him. Back at the Reform Club, shortly after six o'clock that evening, Mr. Fogg finished his dinner. Then he joined five other club members for a game of whist. Mr. Fogg was a regular player, and his evening card game was an unchanging part of his routine. The men settled down at a table in front of a fire, and the conversation soon turned to current affairs. What about that robbery, then? asked one player. Oh, the bank will lose the money, replied another. The Daily Telegraph says that the thief is a gentleman, said Mr. Fogg as he set down his newspaper to pick up his cards. A man that makes off with fifty-five thousand pounds is no gentleman, said another. Possibly not, replied Mr. Fogg, but he was reported to be a well-dressed gentleman with polished manners and a well-to-do air about him. The conversation subsided as the men began their game. When they paused to deal the cards for a second game, the conversation returned to the robbery. Where could the gentleman, if that's what me must call him, go? exclaimed one player. It would be very difficult to flee with all that money, said another. No country will be safe for him. Oh, I'm not sure about that, said another man. The world is big enough, it was once, said Mr. Fogg, but no longer. It is now possible to go around the world in eighty days. That is true, said one man. Impossible, said another. What if the trains stop running in India, or a storm delays a steamer? What then? All accounted for and anticipated in eighty days, stated Mr. Fogg with confidence. I'd like to see you do it, said the player sitting opposite him. I'd like nothing better than to do it, said Mr. Fogg, looking at him calmly. When? asked the man. At once, said Mr. Fogg, smiling. It's absurd, cried another player. Let's get on with the game. Suddenly, the man who was about to deal put the cards down and spoke up. Fair enough, Mr. Fogg. I will wager four thousand pounds on it. I will too, said another, looking to the other players. And so will I, said another, and then another, until all five men agreed. Mr. Fogg looked up from his cards and said, I have a deposit of twenty thousand pounds at the bank that I will gladly risk on it. Twenty thousand pounds! Twenty thousand pounds that you could lose by a single accidental delay, asked the man who had bet first. The unforeseen does not exist, replied Mr. Fogg. But Mr. Fogg, said the man, eighty days are only an estimate of the minimum time the journey can take. For this journey, that minimum will suffice, said Mr. Fogg. And in order not to exceed the eighty days, the man continued, you'll need to be very precise when transferring from trains to steamers and from steamers to trains. I will be very precise, gentlemen, said Mr. Fogg. Phileas Fogg's card partners were both thrilled and concerned. They were thrilled by a bet they felt certain to win, but they were concerned that Mr. Fogg was risking a lot of money on a whim. If you are joking, we accept the joke and let you off, offered one man. A true Englishman doesn't joke when he is talking about something as serious as a wager, replied Mr. Fogg. I will bet twenty thousand pounds against anyone that I can tour the world in eighty days or less. Do you accept? Hello again. Gentlemen's clubs are private clubs for men from the English upper class. In other words, they are not for men like me. Members use gentlemen's clubs almost as second homes. They go to these clubs to relax, meet their friends, and enjoy delicious meals. Mr. Fogg is a member of the Reform Club, and he spends most of his days there. The Reform Club was founded in 1836. Membership quickly grew to one thousand, and the club's governing committee commissioned an architect to design its current building, located at 104 Pal Mal. This street actually has quite a few gentlemen's clubs along it. The Reform Club is a splendid place. Based on the Farnese Palace in Rome, its central hall is encircled by grand pillars and a spacious upper gallery. It has a wonderful kitchen, which was designed according to the chef's specifications. The Reform Club's library contains over fifty thousand books. The Reform Club was founded by a political party known as the Radicals, who embraced liberal political ideas. So besides being a social club, it is also a political meeting place. Members use the space to share news, hold meetings, plan campaign strategies, and conduct other party business.