`Bordeaux.'

`And your cargo?'

`No freight. Going in ballast.'

`Have you any passengers?'

`No passengers. Never have passengers. Too much in the way.'

`Is your vessel a swift one?'

`Between eleven and twelve knots. The "Henrietta", well known.'

`Will you carry me and three other persons to Liverpool?'

`To Liverpool? Why not to China?'

`I said Liverpool.'

`No!'

`No?'

`No. I am setting out for Bordeaux, and shall go to Bordeaux.'

`Money is no object?'

`None.'

The captain spoke in a tone which did not admit of a reply.

`But the owners of the "Henrietta" - ,' resumed Phileas Fogg.

`The owners are myself,' replied the captain. `The vessel belongs to me.'

`I will freight it for you.'

`No.'

`I will buy it of you.'

`No.'

Phileas Fogg did not betray the least disappointment; but the situation was a grave one. It was not at New York as at Hong Kong, nor with the captain of the `Henrietta' as with the captain of the `Tankadere'. Up to this time money had smoothed away every obstacle. Now money failed.

Still, some means must be found to cross the Atlantic on a boat, unless by balloon, - which would have been venturesome, besides not being capable of being put in practice. It seemed that Phileas Fogg had an idea, for he said to the captain, `Well, will you carry me to Bordeaux?'

`No, not if you paid me two hundred dollars.'

`I offer you two thousand.'

`Apiece?'