Fix kept moving about amongst the crowd, scrutinising professionally the countenances of its component members. It was half-past ten o'clock. "This steamer is not coming," he said, as he heard the clock strike. "It can't be far off," said the Consul. "How long will she stop at Suez?" said Fix. "Four hours, to take her coal on board. From Suez to Aden it is thirteen hundred and ten miles, so she is to take in a good supply." "And from Suez the boat goes directly to Bombay?" asked Fix. "Direct, without breaking bulk." "Well," said Fix, "if the thief has taken this route, and by this steamer, it will no doubt be his little game to land at Suez, so as to reach the Dutch or French possessions in Asia by some other route. He must know very well that he would not be safe in India, which is British territory." "I don't think he can be a very sharp fellow," replied the Consul, "for London is the best place to hide in, after all." The Consul having thus given the detective something to think about, went away to his office close by. The detective, now alone, became more and more impatient, as he had some peculiar presentiment that the robber was on board the _Mongolia_; and if he had left England with the intention to gain the new world, the route _via_ India, being less open to observation, or more difficult to watch than the Atlantic route, would naturally be the one chosen. The detective was not left long to his reflections. A succession of shrill whistles denoted the approach of the steamer. The whole crowd of porters and fellahs hurried towards the quay in a manner somewhat distressing for the limbs and clothes of the lookers-on. A number of boats also put off to meet the _Mongolia_. Her immense hull was soon perceived passing between the banks of the Canal, and as eleven o'clock was striking she came to an anchor in the roadstead, while a cloud of steam was blown off from her safety-valves. There were a great number of passengers on board. Some of them remained upon the bridge, admiring the view, but the greater number came ashore in the boats, which had put off to meet the vessel. Fix carefully examined each one as they landed. As he was thus employed, one of the passengers approached him, and vigorously pushing aside the fellahs who surrounded him, inquired of the detective the way to the British Consul's office; at the same time, the passenger produced his passport, upon which he desired, no doubt, to have the British _visa_. Fix mechanically took the passport, and mastered its contents at a glance. His hand shook involuntarily. The description on the passport agreed exactly with the description of the thief. "This passport does not belong to you?" he said to the passenger. "No," replied the man addressed; "it is my master's." "And where is your master?" "He is on board." "But," replied the detective, "he must come himself to the Consul's office to establish his identity." "Oh, is that necessary?" "Quite indispensable."