Chapter 12

In Which Inspector Fix Completes his Mission, Almost

Dr. Floyd paces the deck of the Henrietta and looks again at his pocket watch. He pauses and then engages the captain in conversation.

"Sir, I have something in my cabin I'd like you to see from our travels." says Dr. Floyd signaling to Passepartout to follow them.

The captain and Dr. Floyd walk casually to the room when Dr. Floyd abruptly shuts the door and turns the key with a confused ship captain inside the berth. Everyone on board can hear the commotion. Dr. Floyd hands Passepartout the key and says that no one should get in or out.

"The captain will find plenty of food and water as well as all the conveniences needed in my cabin," Floyd shouts at the wooden cabin door.

Dr. Floyd immediately takes control of the ship with an announcement.

"I have procured the Henrietta and paid for the ship and crew. You will receive double your wages to complete this voyage, however, we will increase the speed to full and change our heading to reach London, not Bordeaux." At this announcement the crew mumbles in agreement. "If we arrive by tomorrow at 2 pm, everyone will receive a 1000 British Pounds bonus." The crew erupts in a grand hurrah and quickly gets about the business of bringing the Henrietta up to 12 knots.

It is 1:50pm, the afternoon of day 80 of the journey around the globe with Dr. Floyd, Mademoiselle Passepartout, and your team. The ship pulls to the dock. Faces on board, although tired from 24 hours of intense sailing, are elated to see the shores of England. Dr. Floyd picks up his carpet bag and carefully counts out wages to each crew member who move off the ship rapidly in search of a pub.

As Dr. Floyd steps off the ship to the pier, Inspector Fix knows his arrest warrant is now valid on British soil. "Dr. Floyd!" he yells.

The pain of metal hits Phileas Floyd on the wrist. "Your under arrest!" Fix closes the handcuff around Floyd's wrist.

"Unhand me, what is the meaning of this?" questions Floyd.

The worker stares at Inspector Fix,"You mean that London bank robber? They just arrested that bloke 2 days ago. It was in all the newspapers."

"AHA!" exclaims Floyd wrestling with the cuffs.

"Not so fast, you locked up this sea captain and stole his ship," returned Fix.

The captain of the Henrietta walks slowly down the ship plank and toward Inspector Fix holding large sums of cash and counting rather joyfully.

"I have done no such thing. I paid for this ship handsomely and as you can see the captain is completely satisfied as well as the crew." Floyd retorts. "Unlock these cuffs, I have an appointment to keep." Fix appears beaten and unlocks the handcuffs, struggling to understand what had just ensued.

Within the hour, Floyd, Passepartout and your team arrive at school just as the final bell is ringing. One of your team shouts, "We did it! We won the wager! 30 thousand pounds is ours!"

"What did you say?" asks Dr. Floyd.

"I believe they would like to be paid, Monsieur." says Passepartout feeling a bit uncomfortable knowing how much money Dr. Floyd had been spending throughout the trip. "They have completed the wager, learned so much about Google Apps, Blended Learning and created a lesson that includes Portrait of a Graduate. They have circumnavigated the globe with you. And all of this, in only 80 days. I believe they have won the bet."

At this point, the room is silent. Everyone waiting for Dr. Floyd to open that carpet bag once again. However, Dr. Floyd instead grins, then begins the most mysterious chuckle that turns quickly to a laugh. "Pounds?" he snickers. "You thought I said pounds?"

"Friends, I offered you 30 professional points, not pounds. Surely, you did not believe I have that amount of money. Why, only a bank robber would have such a sum."

And with a wink, Phileas Floyd and Passepartout leave the teacher's lounge.