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.
背景和作者介绍
这篇摘录选自儒勒·凡尔纳的经典小说《八十天环游地球》，儒勒·凡尔纳是一位法国作家，以其冒险和科幻小说而闻名。这部小说写于1872年，捕捉了探索精神和19世纪技术进步的奇迹，例如蒸汽船和铁路，这些使得全球旅行比以往任何时候都更容易实现。凡尔纳常被称为“科幻小说之父”，因为他富有想象力和远见卓识的作品。
详细解读和意义
故事讲述了菲利斯·福克，一位精确而富有的英国绅士，他打赌自己可以在八十天内环游世界。他忠诚的法国仆人路路通陪伴着他。这篇文章介绍了这些人物，以及费克斯，一位怀疑福克是逃犯的侦探。人物之间的紧张关系和快速的旅行节奏突出了时间、信任以及表象与现实之间的冲突等主题。
故事的这一部分也强调了那个时代旅行的兴奋和挑战。路路通第一次看到苏伊士和埃及等地方时的惊叹与他对旅程最初狭隘的期望形成了对比。侦探的怀疑增加了一层神秘感和悬念，说明误解和假设如何导致冲突。
给学生的教训和见解
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好奇心和开放心态： 路路通对所到之处的新地方的惊叹鼓励读者拥抱好奇心，欣赏世界的多样性。学生可以学会对新体验和文化持开放态度，从而拓宽他们的理解和同情心。
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批判性思维和判断力： 费克斯对福克的怀疑提醒读者要质疑表象，并在做出判断之前寻求证据。它教导了批判性思维的重要性，而不是根据不完整的信息妄下结论。
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时间管理和规划： 福克的旅程是关于精心规划和时间管理价值的一课。学生可以反思如何设定目标和有效地管理时间可以帮助他们完成困难的任务。
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忠诚和奉献： 路路通对主人的奉献表明了忠诚和责任的重要性。它突出了支持他人如何既是一种责任，也是个人成长的源泉。
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适应性： 故事展示了适应意外情况的必要性，例如快速旅行和处理新环境。学生可以学会面对变化时保持灵活和坚韧。
在日常生活中应用这些教训
- 在学习中： 就像福克仔细规划他的路线一样，学生可以规划他们的学习时间表并设定明确的目标，以有效地管理他们的工作量。
- 在社交场合： 像路路通一样保持开放的心态有助于在不同文化和背景之间建立友谊。
- 在解决问题中： 像费克斯一样运用批判性思维可以帮助学生在采取行动之前彻底分析情况。
- 在个人成长中： 在团队合作或家庭生活中表现出忠诚和责任感可以加强人际关系和信任。
- 在面对挑战时： 拥抱适应性有助于学生克服障碍并在困难时期保持积极态度。
从故事中培养积极的品质
为了培养故事中展现的美德，学生可以：
- 通过探索新的科目或爱好来练习好奇心。
- 在评判他人之前反思，努力理解他们的观点。
- 设定个人目标并制定计划来实现它们。
- 以善良和可靠的方式支持朋友和家人。
- 拥抱变化，将其视为学习和成长的机会。
通过阅读《八十天环游地球》，学生不仅可以享受激动人心的冒险，还可以获得宝贵的生活技能，为他们自己的旅程做好准备——无论是在学习、友谊还是个人挑战中。
