Assuming the identity of a French merchant sailor, assassin James Wilson arrives at the Boston docks to discover that the ship on which he hoped to flee the country has broken down in New York harbor. Coming upon college student Catherine Jason struggling to get her bags on board the freighter Talbot , Wilson learns the ship will be sailing to New York and, helping her with her bags, claims that he is one of the crew. Soon after, first mate Robson welcomes Captain John Jason, Catherine's father, on board and Jason happily relates that Catherine is returning to college for her final semester. Later, however, when Jason goes to Catherine's cabin to present her with a welcoming gift, she refuses to leave her cabin and is uncharacteristically subdued. Unknown to Jason, Wilson is hiding in Catherine's room, holding her at gunpoint. Before Jason can enter the cabin, however, Robson informs the captain that a possible stowaway has been reported around the docks and federal agents are searching departing ships. When the agents investigate Catherine's room, Wilson has ordered her into the shower, assuring their prompt departure. After the agents leave and the Talbot gets under way, Wilson questions Catherine, who reveals that she is completing a degree in psychology. Wilson scoffs that no one can truly understand another person, then confesses that he is fleeing after committing a murder that took him months to plan. Catherine asks if the killing was necessary, and Wilson asserts that the victim, a politician, was responsible for ruining many lives. The pair is interrupted by the return of Jason, whom Wilson allows into the cabin. After hearing Wilson's terms for Catherine's release, Jason returns to his quarters disturbed, but in hopes of keeping his daughter safe, does not confide in his officers or crew. Meanwhile, a skeptical Catherine presses Wilson on the murder, asking if he was hired. Indignant, Wilson relates that he acted alone out of his deep convictions that both the politician and the political system in which he worked was corrupt. When Catherine remains skeptical, Wilson angrily tells her that she knows nothing of his world or his people and describes the assassination: Several nights earlier, Wilson attends a masquerade party with wealthy revelers at the exclusive residence of his victim, Philip Fredericks. Disgusted by the careless frivolity around him while he remains tortured by news reports of an ongoing bloody war, Wilson makes his way to the private den of his host with whom he is personally acquainted. After sending Frederick's wife out of the room, Wilson responds to Frederick's friendly inquiry about enjoying the party by shooting him in the face. In the present, Catherine registers dismay, but Wilson remains unrepentant. Later that evening, Robson, his suspicions aroused by Jason's strange remoteness and the steward's report that Catherine asked for her dinner tray to be left outside her door, presses Jason for an explanation. After Jason breaks down and confides in Robson, he relates the events to the second mate and the men wonder if they can possibly rescue Catherine. That night, Wilson initially allows Catherine to go to sleep undisturbed, but finds that he is drawn to her. After a startled Catherine initially rejects a clumsy attempt by Wilson to embrace her, he retreats, but agitated by memories of the frivolous women at the Fredericks' party, abruptly attacks Catherine and rapes her. The following morning as the ship nears New York harbor, Robson confronts Jason about allowing Wilson to take Catherine with him to ensure his safety while he transfers ships. Although Jason insists that he cannot take any action that would jeopardize Catherine, Robson is not appeased. In a meeting with the second mate and the bosun, Robson devises an idea to subdue Wilson by drugging Catherine's breakfast. Knowing that Catherine dislikes eggs, Robson sends a plate full of scrambled eggs liberally sprinkled with sleeping powder to her cabin. Catherine, who has refused Wilson's apology for the assault, rejects the breakfast and when Wilson prods her to eat, reveals that she is allergic to eggs. Suspecting a plot, Wilson angrily flings the plate away. As the Talbot draws nearer to the harbor, Jason issues instructions for the crew to retire to their quarters until further notice. Meanwhile, Wilson tells Catherine that he will not need to take her off the ship, just on to the deck to ensure his safety. As the ship drops anchor, Robson, the second mate and the bosun defy Jason's orders and wait for Wilson to come topside. When he does not arrive, the men begin chasing him below deck and Jason rushes to Catherine's cabin, where he finds her dead in the shower, shot through the head. Retrieving a pistol from his own cabin, Jason returns to the top deck to find Robson and the men savagely beating Wilson. Although shattered by his shocking loss, Jason orders the men to leave the unconscious Wilson alone, but cannot bring himself to shoot his daughter's killer.
