Around the World in Eighty Days

It is London in 1872. And this is Mr Phileas Fogg's house. 2nd October 1872.

Mr Phileas Fogg is an English gentleman. He lives in London. He hasn't got a wife or children, but he has got a French servant - Passepartout.

Fogg goes to his club every day. He eats at his club at 12 o'clock. In the afternoon he reads there. In the evening he eats there again. Then he talks with his friends, and at midnight he goes home.

Passepartout is happy. He wants a quiet job.

Mr Fogg's day:

• 8.00: gets up
• 8.23: breakfast
• 9.37: gets ready
• 11.30: goes to club
• midnight: goes home

But one evening, Fogg sees something interesting in The Times.

GENTLEMAN THIEF TAKES £5,000 FROM THE BANK OF ENGLAND

At the club Fogg's friends talk. "That gentleman thief can't go far", says Ralph. "With trains and ships, today's detectives move fast". "But thieves can move fast too", Flanagan says.

"Today you can go round the world in eighty days", says Fogg.

"Do it, and I pay you £20,000", says Stuart.

"I'm leaving tonight', answers Fogg. "Perhaps I can't do it, Stuart. But then I pay you £20,000".

The train for France leaves before nine in the evening. Fogg must be back in London by 21st December.

Fogg gives £20,000 in a bag to his servant. "We're leaving for France", he says. Passepartout isn't very happy.

They go to France. Then they take a train to Italy, and a ship to Port Said in Egypt.

When their ship arrives in Suez, an English detective - Mr Fix - is waiting. He's looking for the gentleman thief.

Suez. 9th October. Fogg visits the passport office.

Mr Fix sees him there. "It's the gentleman thief!", he thinks. "I must tell London".

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gentleman a man from a rich family who does not need to work

servant a person who works for someone rich

club a place where gentlemen meet

thief (plural thieves) a person who takes things without asking

ship you use a ship to go across the water

detective a special policeman

passport a book with your name and photograph; you take it with you when you visit different countries