‘Mistake?’ the other burst out. ‘Man alive, look at him. By heaven I wish there was a mistake!’
‘We had better bring him up to Gateshead, and see if anyone else will confirm your identification.’
There was an interruption from the prisoner.
‘You needn’t trouble,’ he said sadly. ‘I admit it. I am Tom Dale.’
‘You escaped from the Numidian?’
‘I escaped. I was picked up by a fishing smack and taken into Gloucester. I was on board four days before we got in, and I had plenty of time to make my plans. I don’t pretend I wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t so bad as you think. I dare say you won’t believe me, but I did it for Ethel’s sake. She was tied to me, and I knew I was a bad egg and had all but ruined her. And what’s more, I knew I would ruin her outright if I went back to her. So I deserted her. But all I rid her of was trouble. I thought I would give her another chance with her life, and I did. I swore she would never know. And if I did go wrong, she at least has had her life happy since because of it.’
The man spoke simply, and with a certain dignity which impressed his hearers.
‘How did you conceal your identity?’ Tanner asked.
‘Very easily. I had made friends on the voyage with another passenger. He had told me he was alone in the world. I saw him drown. I took his name.’
‘And then you came here and blackmailed the man you had injured?’