New York to London, Steam and Rail . . . 9 " Total . . . 80 days." "Yes, eighty days!" exclaimed Stuart, who, being absorbed in his calculations, made a mis-deal; "but that estimate does not take inter consideration bad weather, head-winds, shipwreck, railway accidents, &c." "They are all included," remarked Fogg, as he continued to play, for this time the conversation did not cease with the deal. "Even if the Hindoos or Indians take up the rails? Suppose they stop the trains, pillage the baggage-waggons, and scalp the travellers?" "All included," replied Fogg quietly. "Two trumps," he added, as he won the tricks. Stuart, who was "pony," collected the cards, and said: "No doubt you are right in theory, Mr. Fogg, but in practice--" "In practice too, Mr. Stuart." "I should like to see you do it." "It only rests with you. Let us go together." "Heaven forbid," cried Stuart; "but I will bet you a cool four thousand that such a journey, under such conditions, is impossible." "On the contrary, it is quite possible," replied Mr. Fogg. "Well, then, why don't you do it?" "Go round the world in eighty days, do you mean?" "Yes." "I will." "When?" "At once; only I give you warning I shall do it at your expense." "Oh, this is all nonsense," replied Stuart, who began to feel a little vexed at Fogg's persistence; "let us continue the game." "You had better deal, then; that was a mis-deal." Andrew Stuart took up the cards, and suddenly put them down again. "Look here, Mr. Fogg," he said; "if you like, I will bet you four thousand." "My dear Stuart," said Fallentin, "don't be ridiculous; it is only a joke." "When I say I will bet," said Stuart, "I mean it." "All right," said Mr. Fogg; then, turning towards the others, he said: "I have twenty thousand pounds deposited at Baring's. I will willingly risk that sum." "Twenty thousand pounds!" exclaimed Sullivan; "why, the slightest accident might cause you to lose the whole of it. Anything unforeseen--" "The unforeseen does not exist," replied Fogg simply. "But, Mr. Fogg, this estimate of eighty days is the very least time in which the journey can be accomplished." "A minimum well employed is quite sufficient." "But to succeed you must pass from railways to steamers, from steamers to railways, with mathematical accuracy." "I will be mathematically accurate." "Oh, this is a joke!" "A true Englishman never jokes when he has a stake depending on the matter. I bet twenty thousand against any of you that I will make the tour of the world in eighty days or less; that is to say, in nineteen hundred and twenty hours, or a hundred and fifteen thousand two hundred minutes. Will you take me?" "We do," replied the others, after consultation together. "Very well, then," said Fogg, "the Dover mail starts at 8.45; I will go by it." "This evening?" said Stuart.