Phileas Fogg, the impeccably punctual gentleman of London, stakes his fortune—and his reputation—on the belief that the world can be circled in just eighty days. With his loyal valet Passepartout by his side, Fogg departs on a journey that defies logic and challenges the limits of Victorian travel. As trains thunder, steamships surge, and suspicion follows close behind, the race against time begins with the thrill of the unknown.

PART ONE CONTENTS

• Chapter 1: In which Phileas Fogg and Passepartout accept each other, the one as master, the other as man

• Chapter 2: In which Passepartout is convinced that he has at last found his ideal

• Chapter 3: In which a conversation takes place that seems likely to cost Phileas Fogg dear

• Chapter 4: In which Phileas Fogg astonishes Passepartout, his servant

• Chapter 5: In which a new species of funds, unknown to the moneyed men, appears on ’Change’

• Chapter 6: In which Fix, the detective, betrays a very natural impatience

• Chapter 7: Which once more demonstrates the uselessness of passports as aids to detectives

• Chapter 8: In which Passepartout talks rather more, perhaps, than is prudent

• Chapter 9: In which the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean prove propitious to the designs of Phileas Fogg

In the heart of London, behind the heavy doors of the Reform Club, lives a man of mystery and precision—Phileas Fogg. He is a gentleman of strict routine, icy calm, and unshakable logic.

No one knows much about him, but his punctuality is legendary, his habits exact, and his fortune quietly immense. Every day is the same—until the arrival of a new servant sets something unexpected in motion. Jean Passepartout, a lively Frenchman with a colorful past, believes he has found peace at last.

After years of adventure and mishaps, he’s ready for a quiet life of regular hours and a predictable employer. He thinks Fogg is the perfect master for such a life. But in the world of Phileas Fogg, still waters run deep, and destiny is already knocking on the door.

As Fogg and Passepartout accept each other—one as the unflappable master, the other as the hopeful manservant—the stage is quietly being set for an extraordinary journey neither of them can yet imagine. In the calm before the storm, a clock ticks, a globe spins, and somewhere in the distance, a wager is waiting.

The world is about to change—for both of them.

HOW TO PLAY WHIST

“Phileas Fogg was a member of the Reform Club, and he played whist there regularly from twenty minutes past six until midnight.”

Whist is more than just a game. It represents Fogg’s logical mind, his discipline, and his desire to bring order to chaos—even in something as wild as racing around the globe.

Jean Passepartout has seen it all—circuses, stage performances, firefighting, and footraces across Europe. But now, at last, he believes he has found the one thing he’s always longed for: peace and predictability. After only a few hours in the service of Phileas Fogg, Passepartout is certain—this is his ideal life.

A master who moves like clockwork, never raises his voice, and leads a life so rigidly ordered it could be measured in minutes.

Inside the silent, polished home on Saville Row, Passepartout explores the perfectly arranged rooms with awe. Everything is in its place, the atmosphere calm, the routines precise. He is so relieved, so comforted, that he begins to dream of quiet days and uneventful years. For the first time in his life, there is no chaos, no surprises—only structure. He swears to himself that he will never leave this post. But just beneath the still surface, something stirs.

Phileas Fogg is not quite what he seems, and the wheels of fate are already turning. Passepartout doesn’t know it yet, but the life of quiet comfort he so desires is about to be shattered by the most unpredictable adventure imaginable.

The journey of a lifetime is only days away.

VICTORIAN GENTLEMAN CALLING CARD

A man like Phileas Fogg would certainly have carried a proper Victorian calling card—neatly printed, perfectly centered, and used for formal introductions or visits. A true Victorian card featured only the gentleman’s full name—no address, no title, no frills. Think of how Fogg’s card might read: Mr. Phileas Fogg—nothing more, nothing less. Here’s how to craft your own.

The grand halls of the Reform Club echo with polite conversation, polished shoes on marble floors, and the rustle of newspapers. Phileas Fogg, ever punctual and reserved, sits in his usual seat with his usual calm, seemingly unmoved by the world around him.

But on this particular day, a headline sparks a discussion that will change everything: a bold robbery at the Bank of England. As the members of the club debate the thief’s escape and the limits of global travel, Fogg’s voice cuts through with quiet certainty.

He insists that with careful planning and modern transport, it is entirely possible to go around the world in eighty days. Laughter follows—friendly, doubtful, incredulous. But Fogg is not joking. He is a man of calculation, not comedy.

And in that moment, with the flick of a card and the nod of agreement, he places a wager. Twenty thousand pounds on the line. The club is stunned. A gentleman like Fogg, risking a fortune on such an outrageous claim? It seems madness.

But the bet is made, and the clock begins to tick. What began as a casual conversation has now set the stage for an extraordinary journey, one that will test time, distance, and determination.

And for Fogg, it may cost far more than just money.

PASSPORT BOOK

To follow in Fogg’s footsteps and keep track of his daring journey, you can create a personalized passport book—a fun and interactive way to engage with the book as you read. Each location visited can be stamped, labeled with transportation methods, and noted with any challenges or triumphs. (Stay tuned for Chapter 7 when we’ll make our own rubber stamps.)

Jean Passepartout thought he had found a peaceful, predictable life at last. Serving the most precise gentleman in London, with a schedule as regular as the ticking of a clock, he had finally let out a sigh of relief. But as he climbs the stairs to announce tea, he is met not with quiet routine—but with something truly astonishing.

Phileas Fogg, calm as ever, informs Passepartout that they are leaving immediately. Not for a stroll or an errand—but to travel around the world. In eighty days.

Passepartout can hardly believe his ears. Everything he thought he knew about his master is suddenly turned upside down. There is no time to pack properly, no time to ask questions.

Just time enough to grab a bag and follow a man who never breaks from his routine—until now.

As the two hurry through the foggy London streets toward the station, Passepartout’s mind reels. Who is this man he serves? Why such a sudden, impossible journey?

The adventure has begun, and there is no turning back. The life Passepartout wanted may be gone, but something far greater lies ahead—if they can stay one step ahead of the clock.

BRITISH TRAIN SNACKS

In the 19th century, travelers often carried simple, hearty snacks for long railway journeys. Let’s recreate a Victorian-style train snack pack just like Fogg and Passepartout might have taken: mini meat pies, hard-boiled eggs, and buttered rolls wrapped in paper. This hands-on recipe brings the story to life and gives us a literal taste of the world Fogg and Passepartout are about to explore.

The morning after Phileas Fogg’s bold wager, whispers ripple across the financial heart of London. The stock exchange buzzes, but not with the usual talk of markets and dividends. A new name is on everyone’s lips—not a company or a currency, but a man.

Phileas Fogg, gentleman of mystery and precision, has done the unthinkable. He has set out to travel around the world in eighty days, staking his entire fortune on the journey.

The idea spreads like wildfire. Brokers and bankers, amused and intrigued, begin placing bets of their own. Wagers stack upon wagers, and Fogg becomes a market unto himself.

A new kind of investment, unpredictable and thrilling, enters the world of finance: will he succeed, or will the clock beat him?

As fortunes shift and speculation runs wild, Fogg moves steadily forward, unaware—or perhaps unconcerned—about the stir he has caused back home. While the city watches and the odds climb, one thing is certain: this is no longer just a personal journey. The eyes of London are fixed on the man who dared to defy time itself.

TIE A CLASSIC VICTORIAN CRAVAT

One hallmark of Victorian gentlemanly fashion was the cravat—a precursor to the modern necktie, and a staple accessory for men like Phileas Fogg. Wearing a proper cravat not only completes the look but also helps you feel the part. By practicing this skill, you’re stepping into the story, where reputation, appearance, and timing are everything. Here’s how to tie your own cravat.

While Phileas Fogg and Passepartout begin their journey across the globe, another man steps into the spotlight—Detective Fix.

Stationed in Suez and armed with a description of the suspected bank robber, he waits with growing anticipation. A man matching the details has boarded the Mongolia, bound for Bombay.

His name? Phileas Fogg.

Fix is convinced he has found his target. The calm demeanor, the sudden departure, the suspicious timing—it all fits too perfectly.

But there’s a problem.

The arrest warrant Fix needs hasn’t yet arrived.

Forced to wait, Fix can only watch as Fogg steps off the ship, perfectly composed, as though he were simply on a holiday.

With every passing hour, Fix grows more restless. He shadows Fogg, listens, observes, convinced that behind the gentleman’s polite manner hides a thief trying to outrun justice.

The chase has begun, but for Fix, it’s not about catching up—it’s about waiting for the right moment to strike. And with every calm step Fogg takes, the detective’s patience wears thinner.

DECODE A VICTORIAN TELEGRAM

Detective Fix—stationed at the port of Suez—becomes suspicious of Phileas Fogg and is determined to alert the authorities in London. His primary tool? The telegram—the fastest form of communication in 1872, requiring concise, cryptic wording and sent through Morse by telegraph. In this tutorial, we’ll learn to decode a scrambled “telegram” using a Victorian-style cipher.

Detective Fix is certain he has his man. Phileas Fogg, with his mysterious departure and calm precision, fits the profile of the bank thief too well to be a coincidence.

But in the bustling port of Suez, as Fix follows Fogg through the formalities of travel, his confidence begins to clash with the frustrating limits of his authority.

Fix watches as Fogg presents his passport without hesitation, receiving the necessary approval without question. There’s no panic, no evasion, no sign of guilt—only quiet dignity and order.

Fix, itching to act, is forced to acknowledge the truth: a passport proves identity, but not character. It cannot expose a thief hiding in plain sight behind good manners and impeccable timing.

Trapped by bureaucracy and waiting on a delayed warrant, Fix seethes with quiet impatience. He cannot detain Fogg, cannot even raise suspicion without proof. All he can do is follow, observe, and hope the man before him makes a mistake.

But Fogg, as always, gives nothing away.

The game of pursuit has begun, but Fix is learning a painful truth—paperwork and procedure offer little help when the man you’re chasing never seems to slip.

RUBBER PASSPORT STAMP

Fix is helpless despite having Fogg in front of him—because Fogg’s documents are perfectly in order. He’s calm, official, and uncatchable. What better way to dive into this ironic frustration than by creating the one item that should have helped Fix: a passport stamp! With your own rubber stamp, you become part of the bureaucracy Fix struggles to manipulate.

As Phileas Fogg moves forward with quiet precision, his loyal servant Passepartout finds himself growing more comfortable—and more talkative.

In the bustling streets of Suez, the Frenchman can’t help but share the extraordinary details of their journey. He speaks with pride, amusement, and perhaps just a bit too much honesty.

Over a casual conversation, he lets slip more than he should.

Their rapid pace, Fogg’s calm wager, and the exact details of their planned route—all of it pours out in a moment of cheerful chatter. But the man listening is no idle traveler. Detective Fix, ever watchful, takes in every word with keen interest.

For Fix, it’s confirmation. This isn’t just a gentleman on a whimsical adventure. This is a calculated escape, a way to outrun justice.

Passepartout, unaware of the danger, has just armed the detective with everything he needs to close in.

As Fogg marches on with quiet certainty, his servant’s loose tongue may have already shifted the odds.

The chase is no longer a question of if, but when.

PASSEPARTOUT COMIC STRIP

Passepartout innocently shares details of his master’s travels with a stranger in Suez—Detective Fix, who is secretly investigating Phileas Fogg. This scene is a turning point where charm meets consequence. A comic strip is a perfect way to explore the irony, humor, and dramatic tension of this chapter through visual storytelling. Let’s create a Victorian cartoon to capture it.

The steamer glides smoothly through the warm waters of the Red Sea, cutting across the map with calm determination. For Phileas Fogg, every ripple in the ocean is a step closer to victory.

With the Indian Ocean ahead and Bombay on the horizon, the voyage offers something rare in his carefully timed journey—everything going exactly according to plan.

The days at sea pass with remarkable ease. No delays, no disasters, no obstacles to slow their progress.

Fogg remains composed and focused, his eyes always on the clock, his confidence unwavering. Passepartout, meanwhile, enjoys the novelty of ocean travel, blissfully unaware that the man watching them from the shadows is no ordinary fellow traveler.

Detective Fix remains aboard, waiting for his moment. The warrant still hasn’t arrived, but the pieces are falling into place.

As the steamer presses onward toward India, Fogg believes the sea is working in his favor. But beneath the surface of this smooth passage, tensions are building.

The waters may be calm now, but the storm is coming—and with it, the next great test of the journey around the world.

MOVING NAUTICAL MAP

Phileas Fogg and Passepartout continue their journey by sea, crossing the Red Sea and sailing into the Indian Ocean. This craft combines geography, storytelling, and motion to capture the tranquil urgency of this chapter: a moving map that lets you track Fogg’s ship across the seas. His voyage is smooth so far, but this moving map will remind us that every inch counts.