He could not speak.

"Sir," he stammered, "sir--forgive me--most--unfortunate resemblance--robber arrested three days ago--you are free!" Phileas Fogg was free! He walked to the detective, looked him steadily in the face, and with the only rapid motion he had ever made in his life, or which he ever would make, drew back his arms, and with the precision of a machine knocked Fix down.
"Well hit!" cried Passepartout, "Parbleu! that's what you might call a good application of English fists!" Fix, who found himself on the floor, did not utter a word.

He had only received his deserts.

Mr.Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout left the Custom House without delay, got into a cab, and in a few moments descended at the station.
Phileas Fogg asked if there was an express train about to leave for London.

It was forty minutes past two.