Around the World in Eighty Days. Junior Deluxe Edition

by Jules Verne

  "I! But I--"

  "I will share with you the two thousand pounds reward offered bythe Bank of England."

  "Never!" replied Passepartout, who tried to rise, but fell back,exhausted in mind and body.

  "Mr. Fix," he stammered, "even should what you say be true--ifmy master is really the robber you are seeking for--which I deny--Ihave been, am, in his service. I have seen his generosity andgoodness; and I will never betray him--not for all the gold inthe world. I come from a village where they don't eat that kindof bread!"

  "You refuse?"

  "I refuse."

  "Consider that I've said nothing," said Fix, "and let us drink."

  "Yes, let us drink!"

  Passepartout felt himself yielding more and more to the effectsof the liquor. Fix, seeing that he must, at all hazards, beseparated from his master, wished to entirely overcome him. Somepipes full of opium lay upon the table. Fix slipped one intoPassepartout's hand. He took it, put it between his lips, lit it,drew several puffs, and his head, becoming heavy under theinfluence of the narcotic, fell upon the table.

  "At last!" said Fix, seeing Passepartout unconscious. "Mr. Foggwill not be informed of the Carnatic's departure, and, if he is,he will have to go without this cursed Frenchman!"

  And, after paying his bill, Fix left the tavern.