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.
Pengantar Latar Belakang dan Penulis
Kutipan ini berasal dari novel klasik Keliling Dunia dalam Delapan Puluh Hari karya Jules Verne, seorang penulis Prancis terkenal karena cerita petualangan dan fiksi ilmiahnya. Ditulis pada tahun 1872, novel ini menangkap semangat eksplorasi dan keajaiban kemajuan teknologi abad ke-19, seperti kapal uap dan kereta api, yang membuat perjalanan global lebih mudah diakses dari sebelumnya. Verne sering disebut sebagai "Bapak Fiksi Ilmiah" karena karya-karyanya yang imajinatif dan visioner.
Interpretasi dan Signifikansi Detail
Kisah ini mengikuti Phileas Fogg, seorang pria Inggris yang tepat dan kaya, yang bertaruh bahwa ia dapat mengelilingi dunia hanya dalam waktu delapan puluh hari. Pelayannya yang setia dari Prancis, Passepartout, menemaninya. Bagian ini memperkenalkan kita pada karakter-karakter ini, serta Fix, seorang detektif yang mencurigai Fogg sebagai perampok bank yang sedang dalam pelarian. Ketegangan antara karakter dan kecepatan perjalanan yang cepat menyoroti tema waktu, kepercayaan, dan bentrokan antara penampilan dan kenyataan.
Bagian dari cerita ini juga menekankan kegembiraan dan tantangan perjalanan pada era itu. Kekaguman Passepartout saat melihat tempat-tempat seperti Suez dan Mesir untuk pertama kalinya berbeda dengan ekspektasinya yang sempit di awal perjalanan. Kecurigaan detektif itu menambah lapisan misteri dan ketegangan, yang menggambarkan bagaimana kesalahpahaman dan asumsi dapat menyebabkan konflik.
Pelajaran dan Wawasan untuk Siswa
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Rasa Ingin Tahu dan Keterbukaan Pikiran: Keheranan Passepartout pada tempat-tempat baru yang ia kunjungi mendorong pembaca untuk merangkul rasa ingin tahu dan menghargai keragaman dunia. Siswa dapat belajar untuk terbuka terhadap pengalaman dan budaya baru, yang memperluas pemahaman dan empati mereka.
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Berpikir Kritis dan Penilaian: Kecurigaan Fix terhadap Fogg mengingatkan pembaca untuk mempertanyakan penampilan dan mencari bukti sebelum membuat penilaian. Ini mengajarkan pentingnya berpikir kritis dan tidak terburu-buru mengambil kesimpulan berdasarkan informasi yang tidak lengkap.
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Manajemen Waktu dan Perencanaan: Perjalanan Fogg adalah pelajaran tentang nilai perencanaan yang cermat dan manajemen waktu. Siswa dapat merenungkan bagaimana menetapkan tujuan dan mengelola waktu secara efisien dapat membantu mereka mencapai tugas yang sulit.
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Loyalitas dan Pelayanan: Dedikasi Passepartout kepada tuannya menunjukkan pentingnya loyalitas dan tanggung jawab. Ini menyoroti bagaimana mendukung orang lain dapat menjadi kewajiban dan sumber pertumbuhan pribadi.
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Adaptasi: Kisah ini menunjukkan perlunya beradaptasi dengan keadaan yang tidak terduga, seperti bepergian dengan cepat dan berurusan dengan lingkungan baru. Siswa dapat belajar untuk menjadi fleksibel dan tangguh dalam menghadapi perubahan.
Menerapkan Pelajaran Ini dalam Kehidupan Sehari-hari
- Dalam Belajar: Sama seperti Fogg merencanakan rutenya dengan hati-hati, siswa dapat merencanakan jadwal belajar mereka dan menetapkan tujuan yang jelas untuk mengelola beban kerja mereka secara efektif.
- Dalam Situasi Sosial: Bersikap berpikiran terbuka seperti Passepartout membantu membangun persahabatan lintas budaya dan latar belakang.
- Dalam Pemecahan Masalah: Menggunakan pemikiran kritis seperti Fix dapat membantu siswa menganalisis situasi secara menyeluruh sebelum bertindak.
- Dalam Pertumbuhan Pribadi: Menunjukkan loyalitas dan tanggung jawab dalam kerja tim atau kehidupan keluarga memperkuat hubungan dan kepercayaan.
- Dalam Menghadapi Tantangan: Merangkul kemampuan beradaptasi membantu siswa mengatasi rintangan dan tetap positif selama masa-masa sulit.
Mengembangkan Kualitas Positif dari Cerita
Untuk mengembangkan kebajikan yang ditunjukkan dalam cerita, siswa dapat:
- Berlatih rasa ingin tahu dengan menjelajahi mata pelajaran atau hobi baru.
- Merenung sebelum menilai orang lain, berusaha memahami perspektif mereka.
- Menetapkan tujuan pribadi dan membuat rencana untuk mencapainya.
- Mendukung teman dan keluarga dengan kebaikan dan keandalan.
- Merangkul perubahan sebagai kesempatan untuk belajar dan tumbuh.
Dengan membaca Keliling Dunia dalam Delapan Puluh Hari, siswa tidak hanya menikmati petualangan yang mengasyikkan tetapi juga memperoleh keterampilan hidup yang berharga yang mempersiapkan mereka untuk perjalanan mereka sendiri—baik dalam belajar, persahabatan, atau tantangan pribadi.
