What could be easier, or safer, than this ending?
Who would ever know the truth?
Who could ever prove anything, even if they suspected?
And who was there to suspect?
No one had reason to believe he was aboard the _Seminole_; not even McAdams.

If it was to their interest to get him permanently out of the way--if Hobart had so decided--what simpler method could be found than the sinking of the yacht?
The very crew might be innocent of the purpose, dupes of the conspiracy; they might even be unaware of his presence aboard, and deceived by Hogan into the belief that the vessel had opened a seam, and must sink shortly, would take to the boat without suspecting any one was left behind.

They could so testify in all honesty if any question ever arose.

The very simplicity of the scheme meant safety; yet the possibility of such cold blooded murder had never before occurred to him.

Unknown! without a trace left; only a boat crew landing somewhere on the coast at dawn, and scattering to the four winds.