"No."

"To Chicago?"

"No."

"Very good. You are going to New York?"

"All this is an evasion," cried Stamp Proctor. "Now or never!"

"I say six months," returned Phileas Fogg; "and I shall be at the place of meeting promptly."

"Really!" "Will you appoint a meeting for six months hence?" "Why not ten years hence?"

"Sir," said Mr. Fogg, very politely, "after our meeting at San Francisco, I determined to return to America and find you as soon as I had completed the business which called me to England."

"Well, what's that to me?" replied Colonel Proctor.

"Sir," said Mr. Fogg to his adversary, "I am in a great hurry to get back to Europe, and any delay whatever will be greatly to my disadvantage."

Phileas Fogg left the car, and the American followed him upon the platform.

Passepartout wished to throw the colonel out of the window, but a sign from his master checked him.

Aouda in vain attempted to retain Mr. Fogg; as vainly did the detective endeavour to make the quarrel his.

"When and where you will," replied the American, "and with whatever weapon you choose."

The colonel has again insulted me, by insisting that I should not play a spade, and he shall give me satisfaction for it."

"Mr. Fix," said Mr. Fogg, "pardon me, but this affair is mine, and mine only.

But Fix got up, and, going to Colonel Proctor said, "You forget that it is I with whom you have to deal, sir; for it was I whom you not only insulted, but struck!"

Passepartout was ready to pounce upon the American, who was staring insolently at his opponent.

She seized Mr. Fogg's arm and gently pulled him back.

Aouda turned pale, and her blood ran cold.