"Bah!" said Passe-partout.
"I am a detective, sent out by the police authorities in London."
"You a detective?"
"Yes, I can prove it. Here is my authority;" and drawing a paper from his pocketbook, he exhibited his instructions to the stupefied Passe-partout, who was unable to utter a word.
"This wager of Mr. Fogg's," continued Fix, "is merely to blindfold you and his colleagues at the Reform Club. He had a motive in securing your unconscious complicity."
"But why?" said Passe-partout.
"For this reason. On the 28th of last September, the sum of fifty-five thousand pounds was stolen from the Bank of England, by a person whose description is fortunately known. That description tallies exactly with Mr. Fogg's appearance."
"Absurd," exclaimed Passe-partout, striking the table with his fist; "my master is the most honest man in the world."
"What do you know about it?" replied Fix. "You only entered his service on the day he left on a mad excursion, without luggage, and carrying an immense sum in bank-notes; and do you dare to maintain that he is an honest man?"
"Yes, yes," repeated the other mechanically.