The weather grew terrible during the last days of the voyage. A fierce storm struck the ship on November 3rd, knocking it around with massive waves. The captain realized they would reach Hong Kong at least twenty hours late.
Phileas Fogg watched the violent sea with his usual tranquility. Missing the next ship to Yokohama would almost certainly cost him his massive wager, but he showed no anger or fear. Aouda was amazed by his perfectly calm reaction to the disaster.
Fix, however, was thrilled. The storm filled him with hope. If Fogg missed his connection, he would have to wait several days in Hong Kong for the next ship. This would give the British police plenty of time to send the arrest warrant. Even though the rough sea made Fix physically sick, he smiled happily in his cabin.
Passepartout, on the other hand, was furious. Everything had been perfect until now! He felt as stressed as if he were losing his own twenty thousand pounds. He stayed on the deck in the freezing rain, desperately trying to help the sailors and repeatedly shaking the ship's weather instruments, hoping to make the storm stop.
Finally, on November 4th, the storm passed, and the wind pushed the Rangoon forward again. However, the lost time could not be recovered. When they finally saw land on the morning of the 6th, they were exactly twenty-four hours late. The ship to Yokohama was surely gone.
A local pilot came on board to guide the ship into the harbor. Passepartout was too terrified to ask him about their connection, but Fogg calmly approached the man.
"Do you know when the next ship leaves for Yokohama?" Fogg asked.
"Tomorrow morning at high tide," the pilot answered.
"Ah," Fogg said, showing no emotion.
Passepartout was so happy he wanted to hug the pilot, while Fix wanted to strangle him.
"What is the ship's name?" Fogg asked.
"The Carnatic."
"Shouldn't she have left yesterday?"
"Yes, sir," the pilot explained. "But they had to repair one of her engines, so the departure was postponed until tomorrow."
"Thank you," Fogg replied, mathematically returning to his cabin.
Pure luck had saved Fogg once again. If the Carnatic hadn't broken down, they would have been forced to wait an entire week for the next boat to Japan. Fogg now had sixteen hours to find Aouda's wealthy relative. He took her to a comfortable hotel and left Passepartout to guard her while he went to the city Exchange to ask about the famous merchant.
Unfortunately, Fogg soon learned that Aouda's cousin had retired two years ago. He had taken his massive fortune and moved to Holland. Fogg returned to the hotel and immediately gave Aouda the bad news.
Aouda was silent for a moment. Then, in a soft voice, she asked, "What should I do, Mr. Fogg?"
"It is very simple," Fogg responded. "Come with us to Europe."
"But I cannot intrude on your journey—"
"You do not intrude at all, and you do not delay my project. Passepartout!"
"Yes, Monsieur?"
"Go to the Carnatic and buy three tickets."
Passepartout was absolutely delighted that the kind, beautiful young woman would continue traveling with them. He happily ran to the harbor to complete his master's orders.