Had Mr. Fogg been a man likely to be astonished at anything, he would have been surprised at the absence of his servant at bedtime; so believing that the steamer did not start for Yokohama till the following morning, he did not trouble himself; but Passe-partout did not appear when Mr. Fogg rang for him next morning, and then he learnt that his servant had not come in during the night. Without a word Mr. Fogg packed his bag, and sent to call Mrs. Aouda and for a palanquin. It was eight o'clock, and the Carnatic was to sail at high-water at half-past nine. Mr. Fogg and his companion got into the palanquin and reached the quay. Then, and not till then, they were informed that the Carnatic had left the previous evening.
Mr. Fogg, who had made up his mind to find the steamer and the servant both awaiting him, was obliged to go without either. He showed no anxiety, merely remarking to Mrs. Aouda, "An incident of travel, madam, nothing more."
At this moment, a man who had been watching them approached. It was
Fix. He approached Mr. Fogg, and said:
"Were you not one of the passengers on board the Rangoon yesterday, as well as myself?"
"Yes, sir," replied Mr. Fogg coldly; "but I have not the honour—"
"Excuse me, but I expected to find your servant here."
"Do you know where he is?" asked the young lady quickly.
"What!" exclaimed Fix, in feigned surprise, "is he not with you?"
"No," replied Mrs. Aouda, "he has been absent since yesterday. Perhaps he has sailed in the Carnatic."
"Without you, madam?" said the detective. "You will excuse my question, but you counted on leaving in that steamer?"