The obviously composed and recopied letter now abandoned its original and improvised, grew far less coherent, far less legible. He had just made out the words 'you left her bed and came into mine' when he was called on deck.

Trouble at home and trouble at sea.

She could identify him, which would at least be something. You said he had not been long in the water, I believe?'
'No more he had, sir, not above a dozen tides,' said Pratt. 'But -' he hesitated, '- there ain't no face.'

What a tangled web!

Mr Pratt, Mr Lawrence, Sir Joseph, Lord Quinborough, assorted other people and most of all dearest Sophie.