"I must take very good care I do not lose the steamer," said he.
"Oh, you have plenty of time," replied Fix; "it is only twelve o'clock."
Passe-partout drew out his great watch. "Twelve o'clock," said he.
"Nonsense. It is fifty-two minutes past nine."
"Your watch is slow," replied Fix.
"Slow, my watch slow; why this watch has come to me from my grandfather. It is an heirloom, and does not vary five minutes in a year. It is a regular chronometer."
"I see how it is," replied Fix; "you have got London time, which is about two hours slower than Suez time. You must take care to set your watch at twelve o'clock in every country you visit."
"Not a bit of it," said Passe-partout, "I am not going to touch my watch."
"Well, then, it won't agree with the sun."
"I can't help that. So much the worse for the sun; it will be wrong then." And the brave fellow put his watch back in his pocket with a contemptuous gesture.
After a few minutes' pause, Fix remarked, "You must have left London very suddenly?"