The plan to save the woman was incredibly dangerous, but Mr. Fogg did not hesitate. Sir Francis and the guide immediately agreed to help him. Passepartout was amazed by his master's bravery and began to truly admire the man behind the cold, quiet exterior.
The guide explained that the victim, Aouda, was a beautiful, highly educated woman from a wealthy family. After her parents died, she was forced to marry the old local ruler. Now, his family wanted her dead to secure his money. Hearing this sad story made the men even more determined to save her.
When night fell, they crept toward the temple. Hundreds of people lay on the ground outside, sleeping deeply under the influence of drugs. However, guards with swords were fully awake, marching back and forth in front of the doors. Walking straight in was impossible.
Just after midnight, they sneaked to the back of the temple where there were no doors or guards. They started using their pocket knives to quietly dig a hole through the brick wall. They were making good progress when they suddenly heard a shout from inside. Guards immediately rushed to the back of the building. The rescue attempt was ruined, and the men were forced to hide in the forest again.
Sir Francis and the guide were completely frustrated, but Fogg remained perfectly calm. He refused to leave, hoping for one final opportunity before morning. Meanwhile, Passepartout quietly climbed up into the branches of a large tree, developing a crazy but brilliant plan.
Dawn arrived, and the crowd woke up. Drums beat loudly as the priests brought the young woman out. She was placed on top of a large wooden pile next to the dead body of her husband. A priest brought a torch, and the oil-soaked wood immediately caught fire. Fogg was about to rush forward in a desperate attempt to save her, but suddenly, a loud cry swept through the crowd.
The old ruler was not dead! The ghost suddenly stood up in the dark smoke, picked up his wife, and walked straight down through the flames. The priests, soldiers, and crowds threw themselves to the ground in absolute terror, too afraid to look at the walking dead man.
The figure walked right up to Fogg and Sir Francis. "Let's go!" he whispered quickly. It was Passepartout! He had used the smoke and the darkness to slip onto the wood and take the dead body's place.
The four men ran into the forest and jumped onto the elephant. Soon, the priests saw the real dead body in the fire and realized they had been tricked. They chased after the group and started shooting. A bullet flew right through Mr. Fogg's hat, but the fast elephant carried them safely out of reach.