twenty minutes to nine
`` In eighty days , '' replied Mr. Fogg . `` On Saturday , the 21st day of December , 1872 , at forty-five minutes past eight in the evening . _ Au revoir _ , gentlemen . '' At twenty minutes to nine Phileas Fogg and his servant took their places in the train . At 8.45 the engine whistled and the train started . The night was dark , and a fine rain was falling . Mr. Fogg was comfortably settled in his corner , and did not say a word .