CHAPTER:5 THE SUEZ || INFINITY SERIES || AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

Filius Fogg and his 80-day adventure were soon overshadowed by other events. A report appeared describing the gentleman robber, who had stolen the £55,000, and the details of the robbery. The police were looking for suspects all over Europe. One agent in the vast manhunt was a short, slightly built man with a nervous, intelligent face and bright eyes. Detective Fixx had been sent to Suez to watch every person who arrived there. His instructions were to investigate any suspicious characters, and certainly anyone who resembled the thief. Fixx stood on the dock, looking out at the water. His eyebrows twitched non-stop, which was always a sign of his impatience. Excuse me, Fixx called to a passing sailor. Can you tell me if the Mongolia is expected on time? It's a very punctual ship it is, replied the sailor. It has won awards for its speed. Fixx felt that he had a good sense for spotting criminals. He had arrested plenty in his time. If the thief were on board the Mongolia, he wouldn't sneak past Fixx. What a magnificent robbery it was, Fixx thought. £55,000, and by a man who resembles an honest gentleman. It's extraordinary. Thieves are getting to be bold nowadays. But then those fellows never have rascally faces, or they would be arrested immediately. No, I'm sure this thief looks honest, and I'm going to find him. The Mongolia was stopping in Suez for only a few hours to refuel, so Fixx did not have a lot of time to spot his man. Fixx took his position, and when the ship arrived and the passengers disembarked, he carefully examined every face that passed. One of the passengers vigorously pushed his way through the crowd and came right up to Fixx. The stranger held out a passport, explaining that he wished to have it stamped, and asked directions to the British consulate. Fixx instinctively took the passport and read the description of its owner. His eyebrows lifted in surprise. The description perfectly matched the bank thief. Is this your passport? asked Fixx. The stranger was Passpartout, and the passport in his hand belonged to Phileas Fogg. No, it's my master's, replied Passpartout. And where is your master now? asked Fixx. He stayed on board, said Passpartout. He must go to the consul's office in person, said Fixx. And where is the consulate? My master won't be pleased to be disturbed, replied Passpartout, frowning. The consulate is not far. Have you or your master been to Suez before? asked Fixx, hoping for more information about the owner of the passport. I have not, said Passpartout, and I do not expect to see much of it. In fact, I expected my master to stop in Paris to see the sights, but all I saw of that city was seen as we rushed from one train station to another. You are in a great hurry then, asked Fixx, growing more curious. I am not, but my master is, said Passpartout. By the way, I must buy some shirts and shoes. We were in such a rush, we left with only a carpet bag. But where is your master going? asked Fixx. He is going around the world in 80 days, said Passpartout. He says it's a wager, but between you and me, I don't believe a word of it. I think he has another reason for the trip. Ah, Mr. Fogg is a character, is he? Is he rich? asked Fixx, as his eyes lit up. No doubt, replied Passpartout. He is carrying an enormous sum in brand new banknotes with him. And have you known your master long? asked Fixx, his voice filled with excitement. Why no, I entered his service the same day we left London. I will fetch him now and bring him to the consulate, Passpartout said. Passpartout's words had deeply intrigued the detective. Mr. Fogg had departed hastily from London quite soon after the robbery, and the large sum of banknotes he carried was unusual, as was his peculiar eagerness to reach distant countries. All of it fit Fixx's theory of the robber. Fixx rapidly made his way to the British consulate. He was sure there would be a large reward for capturing such a bold criminal. The detective burst into the consul's office and exclaimed, Consul, there's a thief on board the Mongolia. He will be here any moment. You must detain him. The race against time was on. We still had a long way to go, but luckily the Suez Canal had opened in 1869. The Suez Canal was the fastest way to go from Europe to India and Asia. Before it was built, goods had to be unloaded from ships and carried over land. Otherwise, ships had to sail around all of Africa, and that was a rough and dangerous journey. I'm glad we didn't go that way. The Suez Canal is located in Egypt and links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. People think the ancient Egyptians first built a canal there nearly 4,000 years ago. Since then, the canal has been destroyed, rebuilt, and destroyed again. Finally, proper construction began in 1859, and the canal was completed in 1869. It is 101 miles long and about 984 feet wide at its narrowest point. Over 1.5 million people were forced to work on the canal, mostly by hand. Would you like to dig a canal by hand?