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 Père la Chaise and the circus in the Champs Elysées!'
`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.'