IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG SECURES A CURIOUS MEANS OF CONVEYANCE AT A FABULOUS PRICE The train had started punctually.

Among the passengers were a number of officers, Government officials, and opium and indigo merchants, whose business called them to the eastern coast.

Passepartout rode in the same carriage with his master, and a third passenger occupied a seat opposite to them.

This was Sir Francis Cromarty, one of Mr.
Fogg's whist partners on the Mongolia, now on his way to join his corps at Benares.

Sir Francis was a tall, fair man of fifty, who had greatly distinguished himself in the last Sepoy revolt.