The very movement of the vessel sickened him, brought to him a sensation of fear.

Moreover he knew the truth now, and saw clearly his duty.

The watchman had not told much, but it was sufficient to verify all his former suspicions.

These fellows he fought were desperate criminals, playing for high stakes, conspiring to even commit murder to achieve their object--which could be nothing less than gaining possession of the Coolidge fortune.

To that end they had coolly planned the sinking of the _Seminole_ in mid-lake, with the helpless girl locked securely in her cabin.