"The unforeseen does not exist," replied Fogg simply.
"But, Mr. Fogg, this estimate of eighty days is the very least time in which the journey can be accomplished."
"A minimum well employed is quite sufficient."
"But to succeed you must pass from railways to steamers, from steamers to railways, with mathematical accuracy."
"I will be mathematically accurate."
"Oh, this is a joke!"
"A true Englishman never jokes when he has a stake depending on the matter. I bet twenty thousand against any of you that I will make the tour of the world in eighty days or less; that is to say, in nineteen hundred and twenty hours, or a hundred and fifteen thousand two hundred minutes. Will you take me?"
"We do," replied the others, after consultation together.
"Very well, then," said Fogg, "the Dover mail starts at 8.45; I will go by it."
"This evening?" said Stuart.