Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader III: Around the World in 80 Days (Pure English Version)

Author: Li Zhengshuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: A British man named Fokk lives in London. He is wealthy but has no wife, children, or many friends; he lives alone. His life is very regular and punctual. He is a member of the Reform Club and goes there every day to play cards. He has just hired a young French man named Passepartout as his servant. A theft of ￡55,000 occurred at the bank. Fokk's card friends are discussing where the thief could have gone. Some say the world has become smaller, and it would take only three months to travel around the world. Fokk said it would take only 80 days. They made a bet with a stake of ￡20,000. Meanwhile, the police received a description of the thief, which matched Fokk. Detectives were sent to various places to search for the suspect. Fokk and Passepartout set off on the night of October 2, expecting to return to London on the night of December 21 after 80 days. Their route was London—France—Suez—Bombay—Calcutta—Hong Kong—Yokohama—San Francisco—New York—London. When Fokk arrived in Suez, Detective Fix discovered that he matched the clues the police had, so he sent a telegraph to the London Police Bureau requesting an arrest warrant to arrest Fokk. Fokk and Passepartout were unaware and continued to Calcutta. While passing through India, they rescued a young woman named Aouda, who was to be burned to death for her husband's death, and took her to Hong Kong to seek refuge with relatives. Upon arriving in Hong Kong, they found that the relatives had already left. Fokk decided to take her back to Europe. Fix followed Fokk all the way, but without an arrest warrant, he couldn’t arrest him. When they reached Japan, Fix obtained an arrest warrant from the consulate, but since it was not within British territory, he couldn’t act. After overcoming various difficulties, they arrived in San Francisco and took a train to New York. During the journey, they fought a battle with Native Americans. Both Fokk and Passepartout showed great bravery. Aouda gradually developed feelings for Fokk. Upon arriving in New York, they missed the ship's departure time. Fokk hired a ship to catch up, and in the end, they burned all the coal and even the ship's furniture, finally making it back to Britain on time. As soon as they landed, Fix arrested Fokk. Fokk was imprisoned and couldn’t make it back to the club. But soon after, it was learned that the real thief had been caught, and Fokk was released, but it was too late. Fokk had spent all the money he carried on the journey and lost his savings, leaving him bankrupt. But Aouda still loved Fokk, and the two prepared to get married. Fokk sent Passepartout to ask for a priest, only to discover that due to the time difference, they hadn’t actually been late. Fokk arrived at the club at the very last moment, won the bet, and also gained love.