"Will you take me to Bordeaux, then?"
"Not if you gave me two hundred dollars."
"I will give you two thousand dollars."
"What, for each passenger?"
"Yes."
"And there are four of you?"
"Yes."
This reply caused Captain Speedy to scratch his head. There were eight thousand dollars to be gained, by simply going his own route; and such a sum might well overcome his antipathy to passengers. Besides, passengers at two thousand dollars apiece become valuable merchandise.
"I start at nine o'clock," said Captain Speedy quietly; "and if you and your party are ready, why, there you are."
"We shall be on board at nine," replied Mr. Fogg, not less quietly.