Fix soon rejoined Passepartout, who was lounging and looking about on the quay, as if he did not feel that he, at least, was obliged not to see anything.
"Well, my friend," said the detective, coming up with him, "is your passport visaed?"
"Ah, it's you, is it, monsieur?" responded Passepartout. "Thanks, yes, the passport is all right."
"And you are looking about you?"
"Yes; but we travel so fast that I seem to be journeying in a dream. So this is Suez?"
"Yes."
"In Egypt?"
"Certainly, in Egypt."
"And in Africa?"
"In Africa."
"In Africa!" repeated Passepartout. "Just think, monsieur, I had no idea that we should go farther than Paris; and all that I saw of Paris was between twenty minutes past seven and twenty minutes before nine in the morning, between the Northern and the Lyons stations, through the windows of a car, and in a driving rain! How I regret not having seen once more Pere la Chaise and the circus in the Champs Elysees!"
"You are in a great hurry, then?"
"I am not, but my master is. By the way, I must buy some shoes and shirts. We came away without trunks, only with a carpet–bag."
"I will show you an excellent shop for getting what you want."
"Really, monsieur, you are very kind."
And they walked off together, Passepartout chatting volubly as they went along.
"Above all," said he; "don't let me lose the steamer."
"You have plenty of time; it's only twelve o'clock."
Passepartout pulled out his big watch. "Twelve!" he exclaimed; "why, it's only eight minutes before ten."
"Your watch is slow."
"My watch? A family watch, monsieur, which has come down from my great–grandfather! It doesn't vary five minutes in the year. It's a perfect chronometer, look you."
"I see how it is," said Fix. "You have kept London time, which is two hours behind that of Suez. You ought to regulate your watch at noon in each country."
"I regulate my watch? Never!"
"Well, then, it will not agree with the sun."
"So much the worse for the sun, monsieur. The sun will be wrong, then!"
And the worthy fellow returned the watch to its fob with a defiant gesture. After a few minutes silence, Fix resumed: "You left London hastily, then?"
"I rather think so! Last Friday at eight o'clock in the evening, Monsieur Fogg came home from his club, and three–quarters of an hour afterwards we were off."
"But where is your master going?"
"Always straight ahead. He is going round the world."
"Round the world?" cried Fix.
"Yes, and in eighty days! He says it is on a wager; but, between us, I don't believe a word of it. That wouldn't be common sense. There's something else in the wind."
"Ah! Mr. Fogg is a character, is he?"
"I should say he was."
"Is he rich?"
"No doubt, for he is carrying an enormous sum in brand new banknotes with him. And he doesn't spare the money on the way, either: he has offered a large reward to the engineer of the Mongolia if he gets us to Bombay well in advance of time."
"And you have known your master a long time?"
"Why, no; I entered his service the very day we left London."
The effect of these replies upon the already suspicious and excited detective may be imagined. The hasty departure from London soon after the robbery; the large sum carried by Mr. Fogg; his eagerness to reach distant countries; the pretext of an eccentric and foolhardy bet—all confirmed Fix in his theory. He continued to pump poor Passepartout, and learned that he really knew little or nothing of his master, who lived a solitary existence in London, was said to be rich, though no one knew whence came his riches, and was mysterious and impenetrable in his affairs and habits. Fix felt sure that Phileas Fogg would not land at Suez, but was really going on to Bombay.
"Is Bombay far from here?" asked Passepartout.
"Pretty far. It is a ten days' voyage by sea."
"And in what country is Bombay?"
"India."
"In Asia?"
"Certainly."
"The deuce! I was going to tell you there's one thing that worries me—my burner!"
"What burner?"
"My gas–burner, which I forgot to turn off, and which is at this moment burning at my expense. I have calculated, monsieur, that I lose two shillings every four and twenty hours, exactly sixpence more than I earn; and you will understand that the longer our journey—"
Did Fix pay any attention to Passepartout's trouble about the gas? It is not probable. He was not listening, but was cogitating a project. Passepartout and he had now reached the shop, where Fix left his companion to make his purchases, after recommending him not to miss the steamer, and hurried back to the consulate. Now that he was fully convinced, Fix had quite recovered his equanimity.
"Consul," said he, "I have no longer any doubt. I have spotted my man. He passes himself off as an odd stick who is going round the world in eighty days."
"Then he's a sharp fellow," returned the consul, "and counts on returning to London after putting the police of the two countries off his track."
"We'll see about that," replied Fix.
"But are you not mistaken?"
"I am not mistaken."
"Why was this robber so anxious to prove, by the visa, that he had passed through Suez?"
"Why? I have no idea; but listen to me."
He reported in a few words the most important parts of his conversation with Passepartout.
"In short," said the consul, "appearances are wholly against this man. And what are you going to do?"
"Send a dispatch to London for a warrant of arrest to be dispatched instantly to Bombay, take passage on board the Mongolia, follow my rogue to India, and there, on English ground, arrest him politely, with my warrant in my hand, and my hand on his shoulder."
Having uttered these words with a cool, careless air, the detective took leave of the consul, and repaired to the telegraph office, whence he sent the dispatch which we have seen to the London police office. A quarter of an hour later found Fix, with a small bag in his hand, proceeding on board the Mongolia; and, ere many moments longer, the noble steamer rode out at full steam upon the waters of the Red Sea.
Antecedentes e Introducción al Autor
Este extracto es de la novela clásica La vuelta al mundo en ochenta días de Julio Verne, un autor francés reconocido por sus historias de aventuras y ciencia ficción. Escrita en 1872, esta novela captura el espíritu de exploración y las maravillas de los avances tecnológicos del siglo XIX, como los barcos de vapor y los ferrocarriles, que hicieron que los viajes globales fueran más accesibles que nunca. A Verne a menudo se le llama el "Padre de la Ciencia Ficción" por sus obras imaginativas y visionarias.
Interpretación Detallada y Significado
La historia sigue a Phileas Fogg, un caballero inglés preciso y adinerado, que apuesta a que puede dar la vuelta al mundo en solo ochenta días. Su leal sirviente francés, Passepartout, lo acompaña. El pasaje nos presenta a estos personajes, así como a Fix, un detective que sospecha que Fogg es un ladrón de bancos que huye. La tensión entre los personajes y el ritmo rápido del viaje resaltan temas como el tiempo, la confianza y el choque entre las apariencias y la realidad.
Esta parte de la historia también enfatiza la emoción y los desafíos de viajar durante esa época. El asombro de Passepartout al ver lugares como Suez y Egipto por primera vez contrasta con sus expectativas iniciales limitadas del viaje. La sospecha del detective añade una capa de misterio y suspense, ilustrando cómo los malentendidos y las suposiciones pueden llevar al conflicto.
Lecciones y Perspectivas para Estudiantes
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Curiosidad y Mentalidad Abierta: La admiración de Passepartout por los nuevos lugares que visita anima a los lectores a abrazar la curiosidad y apreciar la diversidad del mundo. Los estudiantes pueden aprender a estar abiertos a nuevas experiencias y culturas, lo que amplía su comprensión y empatía.
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Pensamiento Crítico y Juicio: La sospecha de Fix hacia Fogg recuerda a los lectores que deben cuestionar las apariencias y buscar pruebas antes de emitir juicios. Enseña la importancia del pensamiento crítico y de no sacar conclusiones basadas en información incompleta.
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Gestión del Tiempo y Planificación: El viaje de Fogg es una lección sobre el valor de la planificación cuidadosa y la gestión del tiempo. Los estudiantes pueden reflexionar sobre cómo establecer metas y gestionar el tiempo de manera eficiente puede ayudarles a lograr tareas difíciles.
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Lealtad y Servicio: La dedicación de Passepartout a su amo muestra la importancia de la lealtad y la responsabilidad. Destaca cómo apoyar a los demás puede ser tanto un deber como una fuente de crecimiento personal.
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Adaptabilidad: La historia demuestra la necesidad de adaptarse a circunstancias inesperadas, como viajar rápidamente y lidiar con nuevos entornos. Los estudiantes pueden aprender a ser flexibles y resilientes ante el cambio.
Aplicando Estas Lecciones en la Vida Diaria
- En el Aprendizaje: Así como Fogg planea su ruta cuidadosamente, los estudiantes pueden planificar sus horarios de estudio y establecer objetivos claros para gestionar su carga de trabajo de manera efectiva.
- En Situaciones Sociales: Ser de mente abierta como Passepartout ayuda a construir amistades a través de culturas y orígenes.
- En la Resolución de Problemas: Usar el pensamiento crítico como Fix puede ayudar a los estudiantes a analizar las situaciones a fondo antes de actuar.
- En el Crecimiento Personal: Mostrar lealtad y responsabilidad en el trabajo en equipo o en la vida familiar fortalece las relaciones y la confianza.
- Al Enfrentar Desafíos: Abrazar la adaptabilidad ayuda a los estudiantes a superar obstáculos y a mantenerse positivos en tiempos difíciles.
Cultivando Cualidades Positivas de la Historia
Para desarrollar las virtudes que se muestran en la historia, los estudiantes pueden:
- Practicar la curiosidad explorando nuevos temas o aficiones.
- Reflexionar antes de juzgar a los demás, buscando comprender sus perspectivas.
- Establecer metas personales y crear planes para lograrlas.
- Apoyar a amigos y familiares con amabilidad y fiabilidad.
- Abrazar el cambio como una oportunidad para aprender y crecer.
Al leer La vuelta al mundo en ochenta días, los estudiantes no solo disfrutan de una emocionante aventura, sino que también adquieren valiosas habilidades para la vida que los preparan para sus propios viajes, ya sea en el aprendizaje, la amistad o los desafíos personales.
