"I would do anything in the world to get him back to Europe alive," replied the detective in a determined tone.
Passe-partout shuddered, but his confidence in his master was unshaken.
And now the question was, how could they detain Mr. Fogg in the car and prevent him meeting the Colonel? It ought not to be a very difficult matter, for Phileas was naturally of a sedentary disposition. However, the detective found a way, for shortly afterwards he said to Mr. Fogg:
"The time passes very slowly."
"Yes," replied Fogg, "but it does pass."
"On board the steamer," continued the detective, "you used to like a game of whist."
"Yes," replied Fogg, "but here I have neither cards nor partners."
"Ah, we can easily purchase cards. As for partners, if madam can take a hand—"
"Certainly," replied the young lady. "I know whist, it is part of an
English education."
"And," continued Fix, "I also have some little knowledge of the game, so we can play dummy."