A Journey, a Wager, and 80 Days

A robbery was committed at the bank three days ago. The newspapers say that it was a gentleman and not a petty thief who took a package of notes worth 55 000 pounds. Detectives have been sent around the world to different ports to try and catch him, and I am in the firm belief that he will be apprehended very shortly. Some of my worthy companions disagreed with me and Ralph about the ever diminishing dimensions of the world as we know it. Out of this discussion has come a wager of 20 000 pounds and a journey around the world in 80 days undertaken by me and Passepartout. 20 000 pounds is a lot of money, half my fortune in fact, but I am willing to wager it all in the good name of mathematics, science, and technology. I trust everything shall go as planned, for I do not know if Passepartout is used to such traveling, such running around the world at a great speed, but he will have to make the best of it. The deadline for my arrival is Saturday, December 21, 1872, at 8:45 PM in the room in which I am now sitting at the club. One minute more and I shall forfeit my wager. The train leaves for Dover at a quarter to nine. I intend to take it.
   
                                                             Phileas Fogg
                                                                  12:13 PM
                                                                   Wednesday
                                                                   2nd of October, 1872