"Yes, sir," replied Desmond.
"He is the same man who inveigled you on board the interloper Good Intent and delivered you to the Pirate?"
"And he was to your knowledge associated with the Pirate, and offered you inducements to spy upon his Majesty's forces in Bombay?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you anything to say for yourself, Mr. Peloti?"
"Pardon me, Mr. Clive; Diggle--Marmaduke Diggle."
"Diggle, if you like," said Clive with a shrug. "You will hang as well in that name as another."
One of the officers smiled at the grim jest, but there was no smile on Clive's stern set face.
"You asked me if I had anything to say for myself," said Diggle quietly. "Assuredly; but it seems your Honors have condemned me already. Why should I waste your time, and my breath? I bethink me 'twas not even in Rome the custom to judge a matter before learning the facts--prius rem dijudicare--but it is a long time, Mr. Clive, since we conned our Terence together."
Desmond could not but admire the superb insouciance and the easy smile with which Diggle played his card. Seeing that Clive for an instant hesitated, the intrepid prisoner continued: