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1-47 of 47
- An ape, turned near human by Dr. Coriolis and given the name 'Balaoo', is smitten by the beauty of Coriolis' niece, Madeleine. Being inquisitive, though, he runs off, getting into mischief, and falls in with a poacher who saves his life. Acting now as his slave Balaoo kills a man for the poacher, but balks on his orders to kidnap Madeleine, deciding instead to set a trap for the poacher.
- Silver Blaze was the favorite. And a beautiful piece of horseflesh she was. Colonel Ross was expecting a lot from this wonderful animal on Derby Day. And then came despair. Early in the morning the stable-boy is aroused from a deep sleep caused by a drug, to find Silver Blaze gone, and the jockey, Shraker, dead, with a crushed skull, in the open field nearby. Sherlock Holmes had first-hand information of this case since he was at the home of his old friend Ross, when the Colonel's beautiful horse disappeared. An investigation by the great detective gives him a sure clue to the whereabouts of the animal and he acts promptly. Colonel Ross insists that he must withdraw the favorite from the race program, but Holmes says, "No!" and his command is emphatic. Rather bewildered but trusting the wisdom of his old friend, Colonel Ross goes to the track on Derby Day, but is dismayed when he can find no trace of good old "Silver Blaze." But Holmes bids him wait and insists that his horse will come through a sure winner, despite his apparent mysterious absence. The race is finished and the winner comes to the Stables, and here to the nervous and astonished Colonel Ross, a little water and a soft cloth remove from the forehead of the winner a dark stain which had covered up the great blazing white mark which had given the beautiful animal the name of "Silver Blaze." Holmes' investigation had trailed the Derby favorite to the home of trainer Brown and he forced Brown to admit having the horse. The jockey, Shraker, had attempted to steal the animal and had drugged the stable boy, but he was thrown and kicked by the racer and so his villainous plans were suddenly halted. Brown found "Silver Blaze" in the open field and thought to make him unrecognizable by painting over the great white "blaze," but he had not calculated on the genius of Sherlock Holmes.
- The Twins, regular bad men of the regiment, have been condemned to the military prison, and it goes much against the grain of the kind-hearted Captain Hurluret to see these poor fellows confined to their cells. His leniency toward them, however, is speedily taken advantage of with most amusing results. Consequently, when the General of the regiment, another kind-hearted officer, comes to inspect the barracks, he finds that the regiment are all heartily enjoying themselves and that breach of the rules and regulations is rife. He reproves the Captain, but the latter merely replies that he cares not for the rules and regulations, as his ambition is not promotion, but to be beloved by his men. Under such an officer the men would boldly court, without fear, the death that lurks in waiting for them. Truly, the Captain's ambition is realized, for his men love him with all their hearts.
- Paulin Broquet, the great Parisian detective, has brought the notorious bandit, Zigomar, to justice. Determined not to let the law punish him, he had taken poison in the Hall of Justice. Then he was brought to a hospital where he lay motionless and was visited by hundreds of persons. Among the visitors was a slender woman, dressed in black, who secreted herself in the hospital, and, when all the others had gone, went to the bedside of Zigomar and administered an antidote for poisoning. She was none other than La Rosario, the accomplice of Zigomar. Almost instantaneous with the administering of the antidote, Zigomar opened his eyes and sprang from the bier. They were about to leave the room when the surgeon entered to take a portion of the skin from the bandit's arm, which was all the great detective desired as a recompense for the capture of Zigomar. But he was quickly pounced upon, gagged and placed upon the bier where he was found the next morning by the detective. Later the bandit set a trap for the infuriated Broquet into which he unsuspectingly fell. When the detective was in this predicament, Zigomar offered him $250,000 if he would let him alone. Not acquiescing in this, Zigomar then thrust his captive into an iron cage where he would have starved to death had it not been for the timely rescue by his lieutenant.
- An adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes story about a father trying to gain control of his daughter's inheritance does not include Watson.
- The next dastardly trick of Zigomar was to secure the safe which carried $50,000 belonging to the owner of the Grand African Circus, which he had won as a prize. He and La Rosario, disguised as servants, joined the circus and by the aid of a powerful elephant managed to get the safe to a manhole into which is was lowered to Zigomar and La Rosario. But it slipped from the ledge and soon sank out of sight in the mud. The case for the apprehension of the thief was placed in the hands of Paulin Broquet, and, disguised, he started to investigate. In the circus parade the next day he saw Zigomar and made a grab for him. La Rosario saw this, and, obedient to her command, her trained elephant took Broquet around the waist and hurled him to the ground. In the confusion Zigomar and La Rosario escaped.
- Morin, an honest workingman, is addicted to liquor. Truly, his wife is the one who suffers. The latter has brought up their son Marcel, who very soon becomes an able engineer. His employer takes an interest in him, and gradually he advances himself to a responsible position in the manufacturing plant where he is employed. While testing out a new machine, Marcel Morin is congratulated by all the engineers and Suzanne, the employer's daughter, heartily congratulates him. Suzanne is fond of the young man, but her father does not favor a possible alliance between the two. To end their love affair, he decides to send the young man away. After a touching farewell between the young lovers. Marcel leaves for Chile, his father and mother accompanying him to the railroad station. On their way home, both very depressed, the elder Morin does not hesitate to drown his sorrows at the bar, while his good wife waits without. In an altercation over a game of cards, he is again seized by one of his fits and is sent to his home in an ambulance, where he slowly recovers after careful nursing. But gradually the old workingman falls back into his bad habits. In the meantime, the younger Morin has completed his task in Chile, and returns home after a lapse of three years, Marcel finally induces Suzanne's father to consent to their marriage. The very night of the nuptials, the old Morin is struck with an attack of apoplexy and is taken home. Owing to the good care given him, the wretched creature is saved from death, but is left a helpless paralytic. Nothing has yet intervened to mar the happiness of Marcel and his bride. But, alas, the terrible hereditary influence commences its work of destruction in the mind of Marcel. He is frequently seized with sudden attacks of anger without any treason. In his hallucinations he sees his young wife in the arms of another and is seized with jealous foreboding. One day, while a prey to these thoughts, he hurries home and finds his wife conversing quite innocently with his close friend. An insane desire to kill takes possession of him and, without hesitation, he takes out his revolver and shoots Suzanne, who lingers for weeks at the very door of death while Marcel languishes in prison until the day of his trial. Meanwhile Marcel's mother has engaged an attorney to defend her boy. The day of the trial arrives. Suzanne now recovered, goes to court to implore the pardon of her unfortunate husband whom she still loves. Seated in the prisoner's box, the accused is grief-stricken and sobs aloud while his lawyer points out the sins of the father, and pleads for the liberty of his unfortunate client. The jury retires for a debate. Acquittal seems certain, but the strain has been too much for the weakened Marcel who, crushed by his anguish, and between the arms of his despairing wife and heartbroken mother, dies an innocent victim to the fatal passion of his father who stupidly looks on and grins.
- A reminiscence of her act ten years ago, recalling how she had secretly married Jean Roussel, flashes through the mind of Mathilda, daughter of Professor Stangerson, when her father asks her to become the wife of Robert Darzac, and how their wedding certificate could not be filed as her husband was imprisoned for passing counterfeit money. But she soon dismisses the horror upon the thought that Roussel must have been dead (she never having heard from or of him) and at last consents to the announcement of her betrothal to Darzac. Roussel, however, was still alive and soon learns of the engagement of Mathilda. By a subterfuge he manages to get a note to her telling her that he still loves her and begging her to flee with him to America. Mathilda was too frightened to answer, so Roussel in a jealous rage goes to the residence of Mathilda and hides in the yellow room occupied by her. Mathilda, who had been out walking with her father and fiancé, returned and feeling tired goes direct to her room, where she comes face to face with Roussel, who cautions her not to utter a word of alarm. But Mathilda was very much afraid and screams. In order to stop her, Roussel chokes her into unconsciousness and leaves her for dead. That evening as she joins her father he notices that she is unusually pale and advises her to retire early. She does and no sooner had the household retired when a shot comes from the room of Mathilda. Upon investigation the father finds that his daughter is lying unconscious upon the floor with a deep gash in her head, but no trace of her assailant could be found for the doors and windows were all locked from the inside. Professor Stangerson places the solving of the mystery in the hands of Rouletabille, a noted detective, and inspector Larson, They are given adjoining rooms in the Stangerson castle, and in his work of unraveling the enigma, Rouletabille finds under the bed of Mathilda a hair and a bloody handkerchief. Then Mathilda receives another letter from Roussel, which makes her change her room. At midnight the detective hears sounds coming from the yellow room, and stations Larson and the professor at both ends of the gallery, but no one is found. Previously the detective had caught a glimpse of a bearded man and has come to the conclusion that he must be in the house. He is also surprised to learn that Larson's hair is the color of that which he had found in Mathilda's boudoir. Larson, who was none other than Roussel, sends Mathilda another note and fearing the surveillance of Rouletabille, he invites the detective to supper in his room. He drugs the wine which is drunk by the detective, and as the latter is examining Larson's hair he notices a bad wound in the inspector's hand and then falls unconscious. Rouletabille's assistant brings him around, and after forcing from Larson the marriage certificate deliberately gives him a chance to escape. Then the detective gives Mathilda the unrecorded marriage document, the destruction of which means her freedom to marry Darzac. The mystery of the yellow room was cleared by the detective's remarkable deduction which shows that the deep gash in the head of Mathilda had been caused by a vision of her assailant and she, in a subconscious state, had discharged the revolver in self-defense and in falling had landed against a table, and the ugly wound in Larson's hand had been done when she had her encounter with him in the yellow room.
- Arlette, the daughter of an old music master, possessed a wonderful voice. Although simple and untrained in the ways of the world, she was fortunate enough to secure a position with a famous Parisian Opera Company. Then she felt that indeed her dreams of a wonderful success had come true. But in this same organization was Gaby Dablys, who became extremely jealous of Arlette on account of her meteoric success. Her jealousy prompted thoughts of vengeance. One night, just before Arlette's first entrance, she induced her to partake of some wine, which she had previously drugged. Overcome by the powerful narcotic, Arlette made a miserable failure. The chagrin and disgrace of it all caused the poor girl to lose her reason. In this pitiful condition she was brought back to her father's house. The revenge of Gaby was short lived. Slowly but surely remorse overtook her. At last, unable to stand the lashings of her conscience, she went to the home of Arlette to endeavor to alleviate the suffering she had caused. For weeks and weeks she cared for her, watching and waiting for a flash of reason in those staring and vacant eyes, but to no avail. One day, while seated at the piano, Gaby unconsciously wandered into the old familiar role of Arlette, Slowly the haunting melody called hack her fleeting reason. Her first rational thought was one of revenge, but Gaby pleaded so hard for forgiveness, that Arlette was touched with pity. Extending her arms to the thoroughly repentant Gaby, all is forgotten.
- After a time of suspended activities, Zigomar attempted to rob the biggest bank in Paris; but in this he was frustrated by the detective. Swearing vengeance he tried to wreck the train upon which the detective was traveling, but one of the detective's spies got wind of it and warned him. Ascertaining that the detective was to make his journey by motorboat instead of by rail, Zigomar and La Rosario, at the point of revolvers, forced an aviator to carry them high up in the air, and, when directly above the motorboat, Zigomar dropped several explosive bombs upon the frail craft, blowing it into pieces and injuring the detective so seriously that he was placed in a hospital. When he was convalescent, Broquet received a letter of invitation from the banker, whom he had warned against the diabolical machinations of Zigomar, to come to his house and see how he entertained his guests. While there, the banker showed Broquet how he, by an ingenious arrangement of mirrors, was able to see the strong room of the bank. While they were looking Zlgomiir and his band broke into the strong room and began to loot the safes. By pressing a button, the strong room was soon flooded and the bandits captured.
- Having gambled away almost his last penny, Edward returns home in a drunken condition. His wife has fallen asleep. Shamefacedly, he looks upon the homely picture which he forsakes nightly for his vicious haunts. A letter attracts his attention. It is from his Aunt Wilson. She writes that she will no longer supply him with money, and declines to receive him. We next see the wretch breaking into his uncle's office. He forces the safe open. Mrs. Wilson catches him in the act, but she promises silence on the understanding that he goes abroad and redeems his lost character. She then invites Jeannie and her dumb brother, Tom, to share her home during Edward's exile. Edward goes to Colorado, and one day, his partner having discovered a vein of gold in his claim, he tries to strangle him. During the struggle, he leaves a locket containing Jeannie's portrait in his victim's clenched hands. The villain succeeds in wounding all his pursuers, and escapes. Later, Mrs. Wilson entertains her staff. It is her birthday, and there is much rejoicing. The poor and unfortunate are not forgotten. Hunted down in America, Edward seeks refuge in his own country and plans a fresh crime. He arrives on his aunt's birthday, and slips in among the guests. Jeannie recognizes her husband, and, moved with compassion, she gives him the key of the park. "Come tonight. I shall have a light in my window," she says. When all is still and quiet, he creeps into the villa. After partaking of a cold supper prepared for him by his wife, he manages to pour a narcotic into her glass. He thus gets rid of an embarrassing witness, and proceeds to take possession of the will which disinherits him. Suddenly a cry breaks the silence of the night. Tom, awakened, hastens to Mrs. Wilson's door. It resists his efforts; he lets himself down on the terrace, and, after a struggle with Edward, he gives the alarm by ringing the bell of the works, and the employees come flocking together. In the struggle with Tom, Edward leaves the weapon in his hands, and manages to escape. Mrs. Wilson, mortally wounded, staggers to her door and points to Tom. He is arrested. Next day, Edward presents himself at the villa as if he had just arrived from a journey. His wife threatens to denounce him, but he is cynically impervious, knowing that she still loves him. The eventful day of the Assizes comes. A witness recalls the tragic scene. The unfortunate man's defense is based mainly on his affliction. He knows he is innocent of the crime, and he is sure of acquittal. Jeannie, however, questions a young advocate, and is horrified to hear his verdict: "I am afraid, madam, that, notwithstanding the extenuating circumstances, the verdict in this case will be capital punishment." She dramatically cries out: "Stop, stop, gentlemen of the jury, that man is innocent. Mercy!" This causes considerable emotion in the court, and the case is adjourned until the next day. In the confusion. Edward removes his fainting wife. The terrible shock has turned her brain, and she is utterly prostrated. Edward, reassured by her helplessness, returns to the gambling den and to his vicious associates. The servants, to whose care Jeannie is confided, discuss the latest news in the paper. Jeannie catches the drift of the conversation, and she is aroused to action. She reads the paper, and understands that the defending counsel's talent will probably be unavailing and fail to save the life of the accused. She rushes to the Attorney General's house and is shown into his office. He is astounded at her communication, especially when he sees the locket containing Jeannie's portrait sent from the public prosecutor's office at Havre, with the report of a crime committed the year before in Colorado. Tom is brought in, and by gesture goes through the tragic scene. The spectators understand he could identify the miscreant. Just then, Edward rushes in. Tom, his eyes dilated with horror, points to him. Edward is confronted with the locket, and, seeing there is no hope, he ends his life by jumping out of the window.
- The young diplomat Phelps is spending a few days at his fiancée's in the country, when he is suddenly called to London by his Minister to copy some very important documents. Phelps is accompanied to London by his future brother-in-law, Harrison, who must see a creditor and try to get an extension, but the creditor insists on being paid immediately. Harrison is embarrassed, he must get money. Phelps stepped out of his office only a moment and upon his return finds that the very important document is stolen. This so affects his mind that the Minister of War has him taken to his fiancée's home and lodged in her brother's room, where Sherlock Holmes comes to see him, called by Miss Harrison. During the night Phelps believes he has a nightmare. He has seen a ghost in his room. Everybody believes that he has hallucinations. Sherlock thinks the matter over and decides to take Phelps with him to London. Sherlock returns the following night and sees a shadow enter the room, open a little trap in the floor out of which he pulls something. As he passes the window, Sherlock springs at him and after a struggle, seizes a paper which proves to be the stolen document. He also secures the ring of the man who was playing the ghost. The following day there is a dinner at Sherlock Holmes', the document is brought in on a large dish. Holmes comes to Harrison, who alone does not congratulate him and asks to shake hands. The ring is missing. Sherlock gives it back to him and for the happiness of Phelps and Miss Harrison, he will keep silent on the brother's crime.
- The first part of this drama is enacted in Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. de Larcey have just arrived to visit Suzanne Dubreuil, a young and free widow, and also Charles Vallier, a man of the world, very much charmed with Madame de Larcey. The character of Vallier incites him to use every possible means to secure his end. As soon as Mme. de Larcey arrived Vallier resumes his suit, already begun in Paris, and bends his wits towards inculcating jealousy in the heart of Madame de Larcey. It dawns upon her that her husband is very innocently flirting with Suzanne Dubreuil, but anyway, is she not positive of the fidelity of her husband? During a skating excursion, Jeanne de Larcey is the victim of an accident, and her friends run to get her husband, who has gone sleigh riding with Suzanne and a few friends. The doctor being called, declares that it will be necessary for her to remain absolutely quiet during four weeks. Everyone remains with Jeanne, but she does not wish to deprive her friends of the good hours or pleasure afforded by long promenades in the snow, racing and chasing on skates, etc., so she remains alone with Charles Vallier, who keeps her company. Naturally, he uses this tete-a-tete to advantage, and proceeds to excite the jealousy of the young woman. He forces her to look out of a window, over-looking an interior gallery of the hotel, and there he sees Mr. de Larcey and Suzanne closely seated on a sofa and engaged in conversation. It is enough; Jeanne still persists in doubting, but the serpent has accomplished his task. Jeanne instinctively abhors Charles Vallier and expels him, remaining crying with rage, and vowing vengeance. Her husband received a letter, calling him to Paris, on an urgent matter. Charles Vallier. not daring to present himself before the young woman, decides to return to Paris also. Jeanne de Larcey is left alone with Suzanne to meditate vengeance, and will put into execution her well-matured plan. She brings one, who was once her friend, sleigh riding and having arrived at a certain point, Jeanne dismisses the guide, telling him to return home, and briskly seizes Suzanne around the body, throws her on the sled and, after tying her and expressing her hate, and desire of revenge, saying, "You won my husband; do not expect mercy from me." She precipitates the sled from the height of the mountain. Jeanne de Larcey is then maddened by the crime she has just committed, an irreparable crime, as the mountains do not pardon. But there is a God for the innocent. Suzanne did not die in the overthrow. A hunter found her inanimate on her sled, frozen and chilled with the cold. She is carried to the hotel, and then brought back to her father's at Paris, where, with vigilant care, she revives, and regains her health, little by little. Jeanne de Larcey has returned to Paris, and her husband shows her the article in the Journal, relating the accident. Then she can no longer control her feelings, so she does not hesitate to tell her husband that she is the guilty one, and the avenger of her outraged honor. He has deceived her, and she had revenged herself. But, when her husband pleads his innocence, she realizes she has been mistaken, and already "remorse" invades her troubled soul. She wants to go and beg Suzanne's pardon, but the latter refuses to see her. Jeanne is asked to confess what prompted her to commit such a crime, and she does so only with the assurance of Suzanne's pardon, thus showing lack of friendship has not been the cause of this awful tragedy. When Charles Vallier will come to see the convalescent girl, he will find near her bed all the old friends, reunited, and before their reproaches for his conduct, he will retire, his head bowed under the heavy responsibility of his villainous act.
- Raymond de Beauxville is engaged to the daughter of banker Stern. A reverse of fortune ruins Raymond. Mr. Stem, being a practical man, finds it necessary to set Raymond free. Raymond leaves without regret. He did not love, but simply a social arrangement. He is discouraged and seeks to end his life. Before taking the fatal step, he recalls his past life, goes to sleep and dreams memories. In his dream, he sees the castle of his ancestors and the secret vault, also two lords who come to hide the fortune of the family which was never found. Raymond awakes suddenly and finds himself imbued with new energy. He prepares to visit the country of Baux and to reassure himself as to the reality of the treasure he procures all possible information relating to that country and immediately begins his researches. He visits the quarries on the Baux property. The castle of his ancestors is a total wreck, nothing but the site of towers and the dungeon remain. Little familiar with the locality, Raymond slips and injures himself. A young beggar girl, Clara, who lives with her father in the quarries, helps him. She brings her father and they take Raymond to their home. During his convalescing, Raymond explains why he came and his strange dream. Clara while walking with Raymond reveals to him an unknown cave reached by an underground passage. She helps him and the quarry men watch their movements and are jealous of Raymond's attentions to Clara. As soon as the cave is revealed to Raymond, he alone tries to find the treasure. Clara is questioned by the quarry men, who try to torture her to reveal what she knows. She refuses and they decide to entomb Raymond alive in the dungeon. Clara hears everything and she reaches the cave, when she finds they have built a stone wall at the opening. She is giving way to despair when she discovers a dynamite cartridge of frequent use in the quarry. She uses it to blow up the part of cave where Raymond is shut in. A miraculous way is opened and she finds Raymond dying. The quarry men run to keep clear of the explosion, Raymond is saved, gains possession of the "Treasure of Baux" and returns to Paris with Clara as a bride. Mr. Stern learns that Raymond has come in possession of a large fortune, rushes to congratulate him and Raymond presents his bride as the real "Treasure of Baux," much to the disappointment of banker Stern.
- George Lamere causes his loving father much pain. Finally George finds himself in a reformatory home. The home in which George finds himself is run by a so-called philanthropic magistrate. Consequently this reformatory is nothing more or less than a prison where boys are sent, at great expense to their parents, and then treated as if they were nothing more than animals. So badly are the boys treated in this particular home that many of them lose their reason entirely, while others become so weak that they can scarcely walk. This is a terrible punishment, indeed, for George, who has been reared in a kindly home. Suddenly news begins to creep into the newspapers of the scandalous way in which the Montliot Reformatory is conducted. A youth escapes and dies in the hospital as a result of the brutal treatment of the warders. For a time things look very awkward, indeed, for the magistrate and his callous confederates. The inspector of prisons is commissioned to change the life of the poor little prisoners. They are given plenty of rest and good food, and soon begin to regain their former sprightliness. The inspector of prisons arrives in due course and is entertained by the governor of the reformatory and his charming wife. So good does this entertainment prove that the inspector is content to review the reformatory from a distance and then report upon it as a "very humane and valuable institution." Directly after his departure the boys resume their old life again. The warders brutally assault them, and their food is of the poorest quality. One day a mutiny breaks out, and the boys overpower their warders and escape. In a short time the warders are upon their track and many of them are soon recaptured. This is not the case with George; he has been befriended by a big, strong-minded boy, who stands by him and helps him on his weary way. At last there comes a moment when the brutality of the reformatory does its work, and George sinks to the ground, too exhausted to make his last bid for freedom. His friend hides him in a barn and then leaves him. In the meantime the truth of the whole matter leaks out, and the news of the mutiny spreads all over the country like wildfire. Mr. and Mrs. Lamere hasten to the reformatory, where they find that their son is among the fugitives. They go in search of him, and finally arrive close to the barn in which George is hidden. He lies there spent and helpless, and hearing voices without thinks that his tormentors have come to take him back again. Preferring death to confinement in the terrible reformatory, he hangs himself from a rafter in the barn. When his father and mother enter they find him suspended there, but fortunately they arrive in time to take him down and restore him to consciousness. They take him back home again, determined that nothing shall part them in the future.
- The strained expression on the face of one maid servant in a group of six, gives to the mind of Sherlock Holmes, the master of all detectives, the clue to the unraveling of this remarkable and unusual mystery. The maid and the butler planned and carried out a daring robbery in which they secured a mysterious ritual which told of a hidden treasure and gave directions for the finding of the money and jewels. Following the directions, the butler and the maid locate the hidden fortune, but coming suddenly in possession of such enormous riches, turned the head of this daring woman. The decision was reached in an instant, "I will have it all," and just as the butler handed out the treasure laden box, she allowed the heavy flag stone to crash down upon him. Imprisoning him in this death trap where the treasure had lain for years. When he arrived on the scene. Holmes wanted a clue. By clever grouping of the servants of the household, he flashed the old parchment hearing the ritual and watched their faces. Only the maid recognized the ritual and her startled look gave Holmes his entering wedge. The forcing of a confession from the woman is quickly brought about in most dramatic fashion.
- Robert Sartan found himself "down and out." Having heard of the generosity of Verdier, a banker, he caught at the idea as a last strait, and was fortunate enough to secure an interview. Mr. Verdier gave of sympathy and money freely to aid the unfortunate, Sartan was introduced into the Verdier home, and met Helen, the young daughter, who was, however, betrothed. Sartan pondered. His extravagant tastes required money constantly. As Helen and her dower were out of the question, he proceeded to commit a theft of valuables from Verdier's private safe. The safe was guarded. As he opened an inner receptacle, iron hands seized his, macerating them cruelly. His cries brought the horrified Verdier, who, always good at heart, bound up the ingrate's wounds. Sartan pleaded so feelingly for another chance that Verdier gave it, first exacting Sartan's signature to a confession of attempted theft. Sartan could no longer work. He thought only and always of that paper incriminating him. Having observed the mechanism of the safe, he again sought its recesses to recover the paper, and succeeded. Also, he found an unbelievable document accusing Verdier of having committed a theft and served sentence for it twenty years before. With this in his possession, Sartan turned the tables easily, and demanded Helen in marriage, on pain of making public Verdier's past. Seeing no way out of his difficulty the banker resigned himself to the sacrifice of his daughter, who he knew disliked and distrusted Sartan. The thought goaded him constantly. Josette, an actress whom he had befriended and now came to repay her debt, forced him to confess his dilemma. Then she begged the privilege of a trusted friend to attempt to settle the matter her own way. Being unable to help himself, Verdier gladly clutched at this frail hope. Accordingly, Josette contrived to fascinate Sartan while both were dining in a public restaurant. In the course of a few days, matters had progressed so well that they were dining privately. During the dinner, she created a diversion, and returned with cigars containing a narcotic. Sartan smoked one, and slept. Josette had him transported into a chamber of the hotel which was draped in black. A score of masked, powerful-looking men greeted the bewildered ingrate's eye when he revived. At the sight of a noose, he gladly gave up the Verdier document and again signed a confession of his guilt. Then, again in a stupor, he was carried back to the dining room. On reviving, he apologized to Josette for having dozed in her presence, and explained that he had had a fearful nightmare. Josette did not enlighten him. Needless to say, Verdier was overjoyed at Josette's good work. Sartan, on the eighth day, found the tables re-turned, and vanished in short order, to take up again his precarious life as a soldier of fortune.
- Armand Delcroix receives a visit from a fellow-artist, who invites him to a fair, where they meet Mabel, a fashionable artist's model. They, in company with a gay crowd of students and models, go and see a sensational performance, a young girl, Clarice, performing in an animal lioness's cage. At first all goes well, but suddenly the crowd is horrified to see the lioness make a vicious attack on her. Delcroix rushes into the cage and rescues Clarice. A week after this event Delcroix calls at the menagerie. He finds Clarice none the worse for her ordeal and offers to paint her portrait. The inevitable happens; they fall in love with each other. The artists' annual ball takes place shortly afterwards. Delcroix is invited, and he takes Clarice with him in the supper room, Clarice comes upon her lover, Delcroix, with Mabel in his arms. She rushes home, broken-hearted. Scalieri, a friend of Mabel's, picks a quarrel with Delcroix. A duel is fought, in which Delcroix is seriously wounded. Clarice forgets her anger and goes to nurse him. A few months later Delcroix meets Mabel in the park. She persuades him to accompany her. Clarice sees the pair drive off. In despair she rushes to the river, but when she contemplates its murky depths, her gentle soul revolts at the idea of suicide, and she drags herself home to pine and die; her last thoughts being for the man who has brought her to an untimely grave. Meanwhile, Mabel reigns supreme in Delcroix's affections, and poor, unfortunate Clarice is forgotten. Years roll by and Delcroix prospers. He has a daughter named Vyvienne. Barthos, Clarice's father, is still alive and comes to the Neuilly fair with his lions. There he chances upon Delcroix. He plans a horrible revenge. One night he and his men drag the heavy cages with the roaring lions to Delcroix's country house. The doors are opened and the lions let loose in the grounds, Madame Delcroix happens to have a social engagement that evening and Delcroix stays at home with Vyvienne. She goes to bed, and Delcroix retires to his study. Suddenly the roar of the famished lions reached his ears. Horrified, he rushes upstairs and sees the lions entering his daughter's room. He dashes quickly into the room and rescues Vyvienne, just as one of the lions is in the act of springing into her cot. But the infuriated beasts do not intend to be so easily balked of their prey. They give chase and there is a fearful race for life. Barthus, waiting and listening outside, sees a vision of his daughter imploring his mercy. He relents and enters the villa, mastering the lions just as Delcroix collapses with his daughter in his arms.
- Lagardere's skill with the rapier was always embroiling him in quarrels, and one night he was to fight a duel with the Duke de Nevers. The Duke had married the daughter of the Duke de Caylus, which had earned him the undying hatred of Gonzague, who had also been a suitor for that lady's hand. Lagardere discovered that a band of ruffians had been hired by Gonzague to set upon and kill the Duke. Immediately the spirit of fair play overcame Lagardere's enmity against Nevers, and he allied himself with him against the gang of cut-throats. In the fight which followed, Nevers was slain by a masked assassin. Lagardere succeeded in running his sword through the hand of the cowardly murderer, but single-handed he could not cope with superior numbers and was forced to fly for his life. After this, Lagardere left France for Spain, taking with him the infant daughter of the dead Duke. Years later, Lagardere, accompanied by the daughter of Nevers, returned to France to avenge the murder of the Duke. The widow of Nevers had been forced by her father to marry Gonzague, but she had never ceased to mourn the loss of her daughter, whom she believed to be dead. Lagardere, in the disguise of a hunchback, by his funny antics, gained the favor of Gonzague, and seeing the scarred hand of the man, his suspicions that he was the slayer of Nevers were confirmed. On the night of the Regent's ball, Lagardere denounced Gonzague as the murderer of the Duke, but Gonzague vigorously denied the accusation and stated that Largardere himself killed Nevers. But Lagardere had a letter from the King making it impossible for them to arrest him and so he left the ball free but in disgrace. The next night "The Hunchback" appeared at an entertainment at Gonzague's, where he amused the guests. Suddenly Gonzague, thinking to humiliate his newly found step-daughter, announced that she was to be married to the "Hunchback." The beautiful girl was horrified until Lagardere reveals himself to her secretly and then the wedding proceeded. When Lagardere removed his disguise, he was served with notice of trial for the murder of Nevers. As the trial begins Lagardere gives a package to the Regent, telling him that it contains the name of Never's slayer, written by the duke's own hand. The possibility of the presentation of such damaging evidence so disconcerts Gonzague, that he betrays himself by his guilty actions. Later in an encounter between Gonzague and Lagardere, the murderer of Nevers fell by the hands of his avenger.
- Baron Desroches, having been piqued by the refusal of the little flower girl, Marie Louise, to entertain his advances, plans to be avenged. To the high-class restaurant where Pierre Sandri, the sweetheart of Marie, plays the violin, he brings an imperious Parisian beauty, Gaby Derilly, who proceeds to ensnare Sandri into her net. The next day when he calls upon her, Gaby asks him to play at a private reception. To show how pleased he is to do this for her he kisses her hand, and their shadows are seen on the window shades by Marie, who has been wandering around the mansion. At the reception the Parisian beauty exercises all the wiles of an accomplished flirt and succeeds in having the handsome violinist fervently kiss her hand. Just then Marie, who entered unobserved, goes into the reception-room, sees what her sweetheart has done and creates a scene. Being renounced by her lover, Marie accepts the escort of Baron Desroches, who takes her to a hotel and has her dressed in the most fashionable attire, with a goodly amount of jewels. Arrayed thusly she goes into the dining-room, where the Baron tries to kiss her. A realization of what she is doing comes to her and she throws off the jewels and runs to her mother's cottage. She learns to her surprise that her lover was only temporarily infatuated with the beauty. As she is going to his home the next day to make peace with him she meets outside Gaby, who has come to his residence to enchant him again after he had cast her off for ordering the flower girl from the reception room. Marie strikes Gaby and flees. Several weeks later as Marie is selling her flowers some of Gaby's friends slip a purse into her pocket and have her arrested for stealing. After having served her prison term, Marie learns how her misfortune came about. Revenge enters her heart and she goes home, dresses in men's clothes and proceeds to the home of Gaby. She conceals herself behind the boudoir hangings and is about to seek retaliation by shooting Gaby when she discovers a burglar, whom she shoots. The exhausted flower girl is carried to a hospital, where she tells her story. Gaby, repentant, reconciles the lovers and when Marie reaches home she finds a beautiful floral tribute from the repentant girl.
- A torn piece of cloth hanging on a nail proved the undoing of Moriarty. Sherlock Holmes' keen methods and his daring actions, when convinced that he is on the right trail, have unraveled many a complicated mystery, but in none have his remarkable analytic powers been more forcefully demonstrated than in "The Beryl Coronet." The very valuable coronet having been left with Banker Holder as security for a loan, is stolen by a daring thief. The fiancée of Holder's beautiful daughter Mary rescues the coronet, after an exciting encounter with the thieves, only to be accused of the theft of two jewels broken from if in the struggle, when it is discovered in his possession by Holder and his family, who were aroused by the commotion. Mary never doubts her sweetheart, however, and with the assistance of the great detective, the real culprits are brought to justice. Starting with a piece of torn cloth as his only clue. Holmes rapidly works out in his own peculiar manner, the solution of the mystery.
- Having lost his fortune, Emile Marval went to America to regain it and left his son, Robert, then a young boy, in the care of his old friend, Duschesne, a notary. Several months after Marval returned with an immense fortune, and the sight of the money animated Duschesne's insatiable greed for gold. By a stratagem the avaricious Duschesne extinguished the life of the millionaire, acquired the fortune and adopted the boy. Twenty years later Robert, grown to manhood, is enamoured with Banker Lazare's daughter. Sometime later Mr. Darbois, a friend of Marvel, called upon the son. In the interview Robert learned that his father was a very wealthy man, and the fact that be died poor aroused the suspicions of Darbois; he decided to investigate. In the guise of an old clerk, Darbois secured a position as private secretary to the notary, and it was in this capacity that he learned of the biding place of Duschesne's ill-gotten gains. He told the son, who, noting the strong resemblance between his father and Darbois, disguised him so that he looked like the murdered man. That night, when the old notary went to the biding place to count his gold, Darbois appeared. He thought it was the ghost of Marvel and in terror, fled from the place. Robert and Darbois went to the home of the banker, Lazare, and told him of their discovery. All went to the notary's home, but all they found when they reached the place was a mass of wreckage, Duschesne's conscience having troubled him so much that he dynamited the house. They extricated the dead body of the notary, secured the fortune, and a short while after Robert and the banker's daughter were happily married.
- Cecile was only a poor dressmaker. Each day she handled the costly gowns which were for others. How she longed for them, but the grim specter of want always stood between her and her desires. One day, in a confectionery store, in company with some girlfriends, she was insulted by a band of ruffians. A party of young men protected the frightened girls. One of them, Robert, took particular interest in Cecile and insisted on escorting her to her home. The two became engaged. They were to be married in a few days. Alas, Cecile was not to have an expensive trousseau. The next day, at a shop, while trying to make her selections come within her meager means, she succumbed to the tempter. Hastily secreting some fine silks beneath her coat, she hurried to the door. But she had been watched, and was arrested by the store detective. Cecile pleaded so hard with the police captain, that he, touched by her remorse, released her. Greater punishment than confinement behind grim prison walls was the note she received from Robert, telling her that on account of her sin, the engagement was broken. That night with heavy heart and unseeing eyes, she wandered aimlessly about the city until she dropped upon a bench in a disreputable quarter. There she was found by the same band of ruffians that had attacked her before. They dragged the shrinking girl away to a notorious resort, where she was drugged. Next they sold her to an unscrupulous roué, who was to claim her the following night. The next morning when Cecile awoke, she realized her terrible danger and in a frenzy of despair hurled herself from the window of her room. Unconscious, she was found by some musicians, who carried her to their home. One of the men went to a druggist for some medicine. Returning, a small boy ran against him, breaking the bottles. At that moment Robert was passing, and he saved the lad from a trouncing by offering to pay for the damage. The musician told him of Cecile's case, and both hurried to her side. The lovers were face to face. The past was forgotten, and in a second they were in each others' arms. Robert felt that his fiancée had sufficiently expiated her error and he took her to his heart once more.
- In the opening scenes we are introduced to Azucena, the ward of Count Altumara, with whom the count's son, Dr. Altumara, is in love. She does not reciprocate his affection, but later, yielding to the count's entreaties, she consents to marry him. After the marriage she refuses to live with her husband, and goes away alone to a country house of the count's. Here, one day, in an old escritoire, she comes upon a written confession relating to the late Countess Altumara, from which she learns that the countess betrayed her husband, and that when her husband discovered the intrigue, the child, whom up to then he had believed to be his own, was immediately banished from his house. A little later, Azucena, questioning the old man-servant at the castle, learns the details of the story, and all the thrilling scenes of that long-hidden romance are flashed upon the screen before us. Upon being pressed to do so, the old servant, with obvious reluctance, discloses the whereabouts of Fifi, her husband's unknown brother, who has been brought up by Beppo, a woodman, in ignorance of his parentage. The nest day, Azucena visits the woodman's cottage, and learns that Fifi is a profligate; nevertheless, she instructs him to call upon her. She is also startled at the remarkable resemblance he bears to her husband, this inspires her with an idea for injuring the man whose name she bears, and whose only crime is that he loves her. Thereupon, she promises Fifi ample funds if he will obey her implicitly, which he agrees to do, and ordering him some suitable apparel, she determines to take him into society with her. That evening she is going to a party, and Fifi accompanies her. He is naturally taken for his brother, but his eccentric manner and questionable behavior somewhat astonish the guests. He cannot restrain his thieving propensities, and to her horror, Azucena sees him appropriating a banknote from the pocketbook of one of the guests. A little terrified at the success of her plan, she slips away without her companion. Some hours later, Fifi visits a tavern, in a poor quarter of the town, and in an altercation with one of his companions, deals him a fatal blow. In the confusion which follows, the unprincipled Fifi manages to make his escape. Meanwhile, his profligate brother enters the count's house, and declaring he is his son, demands money from the surprised nobleman. Not meeting with any response to this demand, Fifi proceeds to help himself from the count's desk, and when the indignant owner seeks to restrain him, with a fierce gesture, he hurls him to the ground. The unprincipled Fifi then leaves the house, and the man-servant, believing him to be his brother, is somewhat perturbed at his unusual demeanor. He immediately goes in search of the count, and finds him unconscious on the floor. The count dies without disclosing the name of the assailant, and his younger son, the doctor, is accused of having caused his death, and taken into custody. Shortly afterwards the real culprit is discovered, and in a dramatic scene, the brothers stand face to face and the innocence of the younger brother is established.
- When Cortay, a man who has been leading a riotous life, married, he abandons his passion for such an existence and spends all his time with his wife. He leads a happy domestic life until the birth of his daughter, Collette, when the passion for the abandoned life revives itself. After spending his fortune he begins to drain that belonging to his wife. Notwithstanding the fact that he has deserted her she still loves him. More troubles soon come to the wife, and as she is promenading one day, her little daughter is kidnapped by Bohemians, who bring the child to South America, where in years she becomes a wild woman. Abhorring the life she is living, she flees. Her escape is soon discovered by the Bohemians, who go in search of her. Just as they are about to seize her, a number of young men come to her rescue and rout the assailants. One of the young men, Jean Darty, takes her in his care and gives her his home while he goes to stay with friends. It is not long afterward that he asks her to marry him, but she will give him no decided answer. During one of their walks they come upon a blind priest named Father Anthony, whom they befriend. At a charity bazaar to which Jean has brought Collette she meets the Count d'Antrerives, a wealthy young engineer, who falls deeply in love with her. Having only a sisterly affection for Jean, she promises, after a brief acquaintanceship, to marry the count. Shortly before their marriage the count is called away to a distant land to settle some family matters, but is killed on the way. Almost reduced to poverty she is obliged to take a little furnished room. Weak from hunger and sickness she falls to the floor in a heap. Neighbors hearing the noise, come to her and Father Anthony calls a physician who orders her to a hospital. During all these years, Collette's mother, Mme. Cortay, has become a successful seamstress and charity worker. In visiting the wards of the different hospitals she comes upon Collette (whom she does not recognize) and offers her a position in one of her shops when she has convalesced. During her convalescent period, Collette wins the friendship of one of Mme. Cortay's employees and she acquaints her with the fact that the medallion around her neck was given her when a baby by her mother, whom she has not seen since she had been kidnapped. As soon as Collette is well enough to leave the hospital she goes to the kind woman who had offered her employment, and is given it. Shortly after her installment in Mme. Cortay's shops, Collette notices that she has lost the medallion. Mme. Cortay makes a search, and it is found around the neck of one of her help. Mme. Cortay recognizes the medallion and mother and daughter are brought together for the first time in many years. Longing to have her old friend, Father Anthony, near her. Collette goes to him only to find him in conversation with Jean Darty. Remorse overtakes Collette and she gives her hand to Jean, whose love has always been true to her. Collette brings Father Anthony to her home and her mother recognizes in the blind priest her long-lost husband. Although her heart has become rather adamant in the years of separation her sympathetic nature rises and she becomes reconciled to her husband. Jean Darty's recompense is Collette's hand in marriage.
- Through the contemptible powers of a scheming woman secretary, Mr. Bernal, a highly respected citizen and president of a bank, is persuaded to issue the sale of stock in a bogus mining company, even though Lucien Marlow, a mining engineer and fiancé of his daughter, who had been sent out to determine the value of the property, reports that gold is deficient. When Marlow arrives, Claire, the daughter, learns of her father's illegitimate business and goes at once to his office, where a heated argument takes place. This is heard by the editor of a newspaper, and, in order to have this man keep the news from becoming public, Bernal is compelled to pay him hush money at stated intervals. Then the crash comes.Bhernard, getting tired of always being obliged to pay, refuses, and forthwith the editor prints the facts. There is a run on the company, and General Delort, a friend of Bernal's, who had been made president of the company, and who had been kept in ignorance of the status of his firm, learning the true state of affairs, kills himself. Before the crowd has time to leave the room where the suicide had been perpetrated, Delort's wife appears and vows that she will trace the ones, who inveigled her husband into a swindling game. Bernard and his secretary manage to escape before the maddened crowd reaches them. They make their way to a hotel, where they are discovered a few days later by the Widow Delort, who then places them in the hands of the authorities.
- Rip Van Winkle was a simple, good-natured fellow and a kind neighbor to all. But he was a hen-pecked husband. Dame Van Winkle was undeniably justified in her outbursts. Perhaps it was the fact that he knew he deserved to be chased and pounded by her hard-worked broom that always caused him to come smilingly out from periods of punishment. He was a lax soul in regard to money accounts. When he saw them coming with their bills in hand, he would hunt his favorite and successful hiding-place, under the kitchen table, trusting to Dame Van Winkle to secure a further extension of payment. The village money lender calls for his overdue payment on mortgage. As usual Rip has retreated beneath the table. There is no money with which to pay him and the lender leaves them, threatening drastic ends. Dame Van Winkle grows really angry. Rip must go to work, and by way of enforcing her mandate, she gets her trusty broom and rains blow after blow upon the back of the escaping Rip. He reaches the village inn and feels secure among those of his sex. But even to this stronghold comes Dame Van Winkle and Rip is led away by the ear. The following day while his wife is away to the village store. Rip takes his gun and a bit of lunch and goes up into the mountains to hunt. Higher and higher he climbs. Suddenly he comes upon an old man. The stranger frightened Rip, but himself was unafraid of Rip. He even commanded Rip to carry his keg of wine, which command he obeyed. On he followed behind the stranger till at last they met a crowd of men. They were playing tenpins. When the men commanded him to serve them wine, he obeyed. He was told to take a flagon to their cave and he started. Down the mountainside he went and being unobserved, he put the flagon to his lips. He was naturally a thirsty soul and he drank deep and hearty in a single quaff. He became sleepy, he lay down and was soon asleep. Down in the village Rip was missed from his home and his routine haunts. Curiosity as to where he might be grew into anxiety as he failed to appear. And how like a woman, Dame Van Winkle is now most anxious of all. A big searching party is formed and up into the mountains they go, calling for Rip, but no answer comes save an occasional echo. Days pass and he does not return. Each day gone lessens both their curiosity and Dame Winkle's anxiety, till at last she resignedly abandons hope of Rip's return. Now follow those famous twenty years through which Rip slept. Years in which he contentedly dreamed of the goblinmen and witches, of village belles and dancing fairies. Now then his awakening. "Surely," thought Rip as he rubbed his eyes, "I have not slept all night." He didn't notice the leaves that fell away from him nor did his long whiskers come to his attention. Slowly he wends his way down the mountainside till he came to the river road. It seemed quite odd to Rip to meet so many strangers, and why did they all start back in fear when they noticed him? He struck first for home. Without knocking, he entered. His home looked different. Dame Van Winkle appeared and cried in alarm. Someone appears from another room and Rip is driven out before the broom as he was just twenty years before. A young lady follows him. She feels instinctively drawn to this strange old man. She is Rip's daughter. Down to the inn Rip wanders. There all is changed. He asks for those who were wont to meet him there and is told they are dead. He asks them if they don't remember Rip Van Winkle, and for the first time he learns he has been dead for twenty years. An old witch appears and she readily recognizes Rip. Now that his identity is established he repairs home and into the arms of Dame Winkle and his grown-up children.
- A strong, straightforward story of a man, a so-called gentleman, whose curse of greed made him more dangerous, more cruel and more to be despised than the very "rats of society.'' In it an unwritten law of custom is made to furnish a plot of absorbing dramatic value.
- When Jacques Darcier returned from his four years in college, he certainly had a brilliant future before him. His grandmother was very proud of him. Jacques had met while at school. Louisette Legrain. It was love at first sight with both the boy and girl. Therefore he could not feel satisfied in his home town. At last he came across an advertisement that offered a very fine position in Paris, provided $5,000 could be invested in the business. After a long consideration, Jacques' grandmother gave him the money and he started for the great city. All went well for a time and Jacques felt himself very fortunate, but one day the crash came; the manager disappeared with all the funds of the company. It was a terrible blow to Jacques, but he would not give up. Neither did he intend to allow his grandmother to lose the savings of her lifetime. He determined to secure a position and pay back the money. That was easier said than done. Day after day went by and still he had no place. At last in desperation he obtained work as a stevedore. But this arduous labor was too much for him and soon caused him to collapse both mentally and physically. When he recovered he was overwhelmed by despondency. The game was not worth the candle. He would end it all. Having spent his last penny, he pawned a little locket that Louisette had given him, to procure the instrument of his destruction. Now, during all these days of suffering for Jacques, neither Louisette nor his grandmother had heard from him. The old lady had come to Paris, frantic with grief. The two immediately instituted a search for the missing lad. Their efforts were at last rewarded just in time to prevent him from committing suicide. Good fortune seemed to be again smiling on the erstwhile unfortunate boy. He was notified that the rascally manager who had fleeced him out of his money had been apprehended by the police and all the stolen funds recovered. A happy party it was that returned to the quiet little village of Jacques' birth. There he secured a position with a local lawyer and soon after married his beloved Louisette. They decided that they would devote themselves to making happy the declining years of Jacques' dear grandmother and Louisette's old father.
- Unable to longer stand the strain of singing on the streets with her blind father, Marion falls exhausted. Mme. de Preville, riding by in her carriage, picks her up and takes her and the blind father to her beautiful home, where, in time. Paul Dorfeuil, the betrothed of Suzanne de Preville, soon falls in love with her. Paul is caught by Suzanne with his arms around Marion, who, being an involuntary cause of an estrangement between the lovers, leaves the house with her blind father. It is not long after that they are again on the streets singing and begging. In a restaurant Marion and her father are asked by an unknown philanthropist to sit at his table. They accept the kind assistance and the stranger offers to introduce Marion to his friend, Cora, the milliner, Cora's drawing room, well known to all pleasure seekers, is a temple of fashion rather than a place where love adventures are to be found. It is into such a place that the pseudo-philanthropist leads Marion. One of Cora's friends takes a fancy to Marion. He follows Marion to her room. She tries to escape the odious embrace. Hearing her cry, all the guests rush in. Miral, the artist, forces his way to the girl. Miral assures Marion that henceforth she will be safe. By degrees, the friendship of Miral for Marion, who poses for him, changes to sincere love, and he asks her to unite their two loves. "My heart is no longer free, Miral, let us remain good friends, will you?" For it is always Dorfeuil whom she has never ceased to love. The latter calls on Miral and finds once more the former singer. Paul and Marion are delighted. Paul, forgetting his fiancée, promises to marry Marion, He is released from his engagement. On seeing her mother's attitude, Suzanne understands that all is over. An illness places her life in jeopardy. Crazed, Mme. de Preville calls on Marion, "I implore you, Marion, in remembrance of all the love I have given you formerly, forget Dorfeuil and perhaps he, forgetting you, will come back to my dying child." She arrives at a decision; she leaves with Miral. On hearing of her departure. Paul Dorfeuil has regained possession of his senses. Repentant, with bowed bead, he confesses his fault to Suzanne de Preville. The young girl answers nothing, but lifts her eyes on him and smiles.
- The owner of the good ship "Julia" was informed by the ship examiner that, although the boat was weak, he thought it could withstand another voyage. The conversation was heard by an old seaman, who told his friend, Paul, of the condition of the ship. But Paul, having sailed many times before on the "Julia," would neither listen to the old man's warnings nor to the pleadings of his sweetheart, Yvonne. A few days after the "Julia" had sailed, Yvonne dreamed that the boat was shipwrecked. This dream was true, for the "Julia" was shipwrecked and all were drowned, with the exception of Paul and a few sailors, who managed to get themselves and some provisions on the shore of a lonely island. Soon their provisions gave out and one by one they died, until Paul was the only one left. He made frantic efforts to attract the attention of passing ships, but each one failed to observe his waving. Parts of the wrecked vessel were brought into the little village and these confirmed the dream of Yvonne, now heartbroken. Mariet, the ship owner, did all in his power to make amends, and a friendship sprung up between the ship owner's son, Luke, and Yvonne. A few months later the wedding announcement of the young couple was made, and everything was being prepared for the wedding festivity, when there was a knock on the door. It was Paul, who at last was picked up by a passing vessel. The joy of Yvonne now knew no bounds, and the heartbroken Luke left with his father on a voyage to England to forget his loss.
- When Darbois, a rich manufacturer, tells his daughter, Jeanne, that he is soon to be married again. It depresses the young girl, for she perceives that the love her father has showered upon her since her mother's death will be diverted upon his new wife and step-daughter, Christiane. Not long after their marriage, the new Mrs. Darbois, with her daughter, prevails upon her husband to send Jeanne to the mountains in Switzerland for her health. This step is actuated by the fact that Mrs. Darbois wants to get Jeanne away from Roger Marvel, the secretary to her husband, with whom she is betrothed, and to ingratiate her own daughter, Christiane, in his good graces. Mr. Darbois decides to send his daughter away, and in due time she arrives at the Glacier House in Grindelwold, where she is expected by Dr. Larrius and his wife, who, conforming with instructions given by Mrs. Darbois, are to be friendly hosts, but unrelenting jailers. She soon tires of her seclusion and escapes one night. Her departure is later discovered by Dr. Larrius, who, with three servants, go in pursuit and find the girl at the bottom of a precipice. The bronchitis contracted by her exposure to the cold the night of her attempted escape has been held in check by the care ordered to be given her by Dr. Larrius. During her convalescence as she is reposing in the terrace of the Glacier House, she hears the sounds of a well-known voice. Going to the edge of the height upon which the house stands, she sees at the foot Roger Marvel, who had been able to trace her to Grindelwold by the indiscretions of a servant. They elope that night, but before they have gone far Dr. Larrius is soon after them. They manage to come within a short distance of the railroad station, when Jeanne is taken suddenly sick. Her friend and Roger take her to a hotel and a doctor is summarily called. Her low condition alarms the doctor, and Roger, fearing the worst, writes to Mr. Darbois to come at once, as his daughter is afflicted with brain fever and is in a critical condition. Perceiving that he has been misled by his wife and step-daughter, Mr. Darbois loses no time in getting to the bedside of his daughter. The presence of her father has a beneficial effect upon Jeanne and it is not long afterward that they are in the home in Paris. Mr. Darbois forgives his wife, and Jeanne and Roger look forward to a happy future.
- When Gerval, the Iron Master, refused to sell out to the Steel Trust, Durville, the agent of the monopoly, planned to ruin him. In the firm of Gerval was one restless and evil spirit, Bertrand by name, who listened to the counsels of Durville and immediately set about to stir up discord and strife among the workmen, which would eventually end in a strike. His actions caused his discharge by Hubert, the superintendent, a tried and true friend of Gerval. The men, angered by the dismissal of Bertrand, demanded the resignation of Hubert on threat of a strike. Rather than have this occur. Hubert wanted to forfeit his position, but Gerval refused to accept this sacrifice and dumbfounded Hubert by asserting in the presence of the workmen that he, Hubert, was the owner, and himself, Gerval, the superintendent. That afternoon the strikers attacked Gerval's home. In the rioting, Germaine, the daughter of Gerval, was injured by a rock hurled by Bertrand. This sobered the men, as the girl was a great favorite with them, and Durville, overcome by shame and remorse, ceased the persecution of Gerval, and the strike was ended. Germaine soon recovered, and shortly there was a wedding. Hubert, the new Iron Master, was now very near to his old employer Gerval: he was his son-in-law, the husband of Germaine, and so Gerval insisted that he continue in charge of the works.
- Tired of the social whirl and anxious to take her ease after a life of hard study and successful medical practice, Madame Remond, a noted woman physician, sought seclusion in the mansion of a vast estate, "Wildwood," which she purchased. Madame Remond, in acquiring "Wildwood" incurred the enmity of Mr. Hormois, the country notary, who had long coveted that estate as one of the choicest in that part of the country. She was really very happy in her new environment, and enjoyed supervising the improvements instituted by Paul Daubry, her good-looking and competent agricultural expert. In the village, the peasants were discussing the newly arrived great lady. Francis, a peasant who had quarreled with an employee at "Wildwood," launched forth into a bitter tirade against the lady. His comrades thoughtlessly piled observation on observation, until to hear the company over their light wine, one might have thought Madame Remond a truly dangerous woman to the community. Then followed many annoying occurrences, which mystified Mr. Danbry and Madame Remond. All manner of farm products were filched in the night; the barn took fire; standing wood was cut to quantities. Finally, Francis himself was caught in the net of poaching. Madame Remond had interceded for some of the malefactors, but permitted Francis to be sentenced to prison as an example. He parted from his little daughter brokenly. Renee, godchild to Madame, was asked to make her home at "Wildwood." This she consented to gladly, for she and Mr. Daubry had fallen in love. The old notary, Mr Hormois, also fell in love with Renee, and went so far as to offer her his hand, heart and wealth. She refused him. On being freed from prison, Francis made his way to Mr. Hormois, whom he knew had coveted "Wildwood," and offered his services in making things so uncomfortable for its owner that she would gladly sell it. Hormois suggested it seemed strange that all the sheep in the countryside except those at "Wildwood" had been stricken with a plague. Francis ingratiated himself into the good graces of the "Wildwood" shepherd and rubbed culture into one or two animal's hides. When, some days later. Madame Remond learned from the shepherd that her prize animals were infected, she was grief-stricken. The shepherd had been attacked on his way with the news. Mr. Daubry went out, much against Renee's wishes, to learn the cause of the trouble. High on a hillside stood a beautiful young woman in apparent distress. Daubry hastened to aid her. She immediately threw her arms about him and began to scream. In the twinkling of an eye, a mob of waiting peasants, led by Francis, seized Daubry and dragged him for endless minutes, until a steep declivity was reached. Then they buried him down, down, down into a seemingly bottomless abyss. Here Renee and Madame Remond found him, hours later, barely conscious. While they were nursing him back to health, Francis' child became mortally ill. Denied money to get a doctor by his comrades, he appealed in desperation to Madame Remond, who forgivingly gave her medical skill to save its life. Daubry's health permitting. Madame, at the urging of Hormois, the notary, consented to sell her estate at an absurdly small price to "his client," and leave the neighborhood where she was so cordially disliked. Francis, learning that she contemplated this step, sought her out and made a full confession, implicating Hormois as the instigator of her misfortunes. Hormois fled in disgrace. At the village inn, Madame's household was being bitterly condemned for Hormois' disgrace when Francis entered. Flourishing his muscular arms, he challenged any and all to combat who had aught to say against the lady of "Wildwood." The tongue-waggers dispersed hurriedly.
- Adhering to the promise made to her husband on his deathbed not to remarry. Mrs. Julia Brendon, nevertheless, falls deeply in love with a fascinating young army officer. Some time later she is compelled to shield the birth of Alice, an illegitimate child. Consul Barlow Washburn, a friend, keeps the child until such time as he is compelled to go to another country, when he leaves it in the care of his steward, John Black. Fifteen years later Black is engaged by Mrs. Brendon as her steward and his supposed daughter as a companion. The demands upon her for money by her profligate nephew, Paul Vermont, determines her to draw her will so that her immense fortune would revert to Alice and George Washburn, the son of the man who cared for Alice during her infancy. Black, who has been stealing Mrs. Brendon's money, is discovered by Vermont, who, determining to get the will, forces Black into the bedroom of Mrs. Brendon to steal it. The shock of seeing Black, the servant she trusted, in her room kills Mrs. Brendon. Ignorant of his aunt's death, Vermont goes to Grabber, a money lender, to whom he gives the will as security for a large amount of ready cash. Everything isn't to run Vermont's way, for his friend Thompson, being dissatisfied with his portion of the loan, is intent upon restoring the will to the proper person, Alice is in a quandary as to what to do to get her supposed father, Black, out of the trouble caused by the death of Mrs. Brendon, and just as she has decided to leave the house forever, which would reflect the blame upon her, George Washburn arrives with news of his father's death. Through the instrumentality of Thompson, Alice and George get possession of the genuine will. Black is a victim of apoplexy and Alice learns to her pleasure that Black was not her father. Vermont finds himself in the strong arms of the law.
- Owing to the deep interest Prospero, Duke of Milan, took in his studies, he neglected to attend to the affairs of state. His brother, Antonio, seeing this soon had him deposed, and later managed to set him and his little daughter, Miranda, adrift. After drifting for several days, the castaways were washed upon an island inhabited by an evil spirit named Sycorax. Prospero, by his knowledge of magic, released the good spirit, Ariel, who promised to do anything for Prospero. Prospero lived for many years in this strange, little dominion, and one day with the aid of Ariel he conjured up the Court of Naples and learned that the King was making preparations for a voyage to negotiate for the marriage of his daughter to the Prince of Tunis. With the aid of the spirits, Prospero ordered a tempest raised which cast the passengers on the island, each ignorant as to the safety of the other. Prince Ferdinand, on his way to Prospero, met Miranda. They fell in love immediately. At the words of Prospero, Ariel brought all the survivors to the grotto of Prospero. They did not recognize him, not even his own brother. He retired for a moment and reappeared in his former robes of state. Recognition was instantaneous and they begged forgiveness. Great was the joy of the King when he saw his son, the Prince, with Miranda, and he agreed on the betrothal of the pair.
- Arsene Laugier marries an adventuress long after his first wife's death. This autumnal love has quite blinded him to his wife's true character. She introduces her lover, Serge, as her brother. These two accomplices soon begin plotting. Laugier receives a telegram from his daughter, who is returning from Brazil. Madame Laugier does not even know of her existence. Laugier shows her the telegram, and she hides her feelings and pretends to be pleased. Worried and uneasy, Laugier goes to meet his daughter. He tells her of his second marriage. It is a painful surprise, and the first meeting with his wife leaves no doubt as to their feelings for each other. Adrienne Laugier and Henry Verneuil, on the other hand, are mutually attracted. Jeanne Laugier makes an appointment with her lover in the drawing-room. Adrienne comes upon them suddenly and tells them they are a couple of adventurers. Laugier rushes upon the scene and is terribly distressed at the situation. In order to save him pain and humiliation, his daughter tells him it was she who arranged a meeting with Serge. The father is overcome with anger and he drives her away from home. Meanwhile, Adrienne Laugier and Henry Verneuil have learnt to love each other and are engaged. Laugier notices that his check-book has been tampered with. His eyes at last opened to the full extent of his misfortunes, he finds his wife in the arms of her lover. Dishonored, forsaken and ruined, he goes to his daughter and she gives him all the money she inherited from her mother, and breaks off her engagement with Henry Verneuil. Laugier avenges himself. He fires twice at his wife and her lover. The latter is wounded, and Laugier is stricken with paralysis. Henry Verneuil breaks the sad news to Adrienne, and Laugier is conveyed to his daughter's home, where she spares nothing to comfort him. One morning Doctor Guilloteaux writes to Henry Verneuil that he has been elected to a post of £1,000 a year. Laugier hears of it; he staggers in. and with dying breath bids them go and be happy.
- When Captain Doty sailed away lo the Ear East, Henri Borel, the former lover of Mrs. Doty, began to pay her attentions. The lonely woman was glad to have the attentions of her former friend, as a friend, and even was tempted to a little flirtation. But she was strong, very strong, and she fought against this mad desire to yield to the seductive tempter, who would lure her from her loving husband. The thoughtfulness of the Captain helped him in holding his wife's love, since he sent many little remembrances from the Far East. On the day when the dangerous flirtation of Borel and Mrs. Doty reached a climax, a beautiful set of furs arrived from Irkutsk, Siberia, from Captain Doty. Mrs. Doty and Borel were admiring them when they were horrified to learn of a terrible plague in the Siberian town. But it was too late. The fatal disease had been communicated to them and both were stricken. Captain Doty arrived almost as soon as his last gift, and when he found a man in his home, murder came to mind. It was only the interference of the physician, who found a letter from Mrs. Doty to Borel saying she could never be more than a friend, that averted the tragedy.
- When a famous Parisian banker sent a consignment of bullion to South America, Marx, a notorious thief, being aware of the shipping of the treasure, embarked as storekeeper. Before the liner left the dock, the banker, his wife and her maid visit the ship. Marx had already removed one crate of bullion and thrown it overboard, having arranged with a diver to recover it later. As he was about to throw another cask over, he was surprised by one of the ship's officers. In the chase that followed, a quantity of high explosives were set off by the blazing lantern the thief carried. The first that followed gained ground with frightful rapidity. When the hold was a seething furnace, it was discovered that the banker's wife and her maid were imprisoned therein. Sailor after sailor descended into this raging pit in a vain endeavor to rescue the entrapped women, but bad to give up on account of the smoke and flame. Finally, Lafarge, the sweetheart of Suzette. the maid to the banker's wife, succeeded in reaching the seemingly doomed girls, just in the nick of time. When order was restored, the Captain found that one of the crates of bullion was missing. He immediately came to the conclusion that it must have been thrown overboard. The diver was sent down to investigate, and. sure enough, the cask was found at the bottom of the sea. When it was brought up by the diver, he surprised all by descending again and returning with the dead body of Marx, the thief. His own greed brought about his death and the mystery of the robbery stood clear.
- Bonaparte returned from Egypt covered with glory. By order of the Conqueror, all weapons were taken from the people, among the confiscated arms was the sword of General Beauharnais. Josephine, the widow of the famous commander, and her young son, Eugene, went to the austere general, asking the return of the sacred relic. At first he was firm against their entreaties, but, captivated by the charms of the young and beautiful widow, he at last acceded to their prayers. Josephine had done more than win the sword of her late husband from the "Little Corporal;" she had won his heart. Finally, after a passionate courtship, she gave him her hand, and they were married. Then followed the famous Italian campaign. From behind the Alps came many letters from Napoleon calling his wife. At last she set out to join him, but went no further than Milan, where her frivolous heart forgot her husband and she plunged into the revelries of the gay Italian city. In his impatience, Napoleon came to her there, in the Servandani Palace, where she was staying and found her gone to a ball. When she returned he seized her brutally, intending to rebuke her. One look from those wonderful eyes and he was like clay in her hands. When Bonaparte was crowned Napoleon, Emperor of the French, with his own hand he placed the crown of empress upon the brow of Josephine. The vast projects of conquests that filled his head extinguished the fire of passion and he began to neglect his wife. Napoleon wanted a son and his insatiable desire to pass his greatness and power to his progeny caused him to plan a divorce and a new marriage. At last the terrible hour for the signing of the paper came. Josephine, on her knees, begged and implored him not to cast her aside, but to no avail. Napoleon was unmoved by her tears. The decree was signed and the unhappy empress fell in a paroxysm of hysterical weeping. Then followed days and days of sadness at Malmaison. The emperor's victories were followed by his defeats. At last, in an outburst of love, perhaps the most sincere in her life. Josephine sacrificed herself before the portrait of the fallen giant.
- Mrs. Mallett, the living image of her daughter, Henriette, a talented painter, leaves for Switzerland and stops at the Wolf Inn, where she is welcomed by the proprietor, Ruder, and his daughter, Louisa. In the meantime, Father Gurth, a fox hunter, is mixing some of his poisonous concoctions on a dinner plate in the kitchen. He is ordered away by the cook, who unconsciously places a pile of clean plates upon the one the hunter had been using, and the poisoned plate is given Mrs. Mallett. While at the dinner table, Mrs. Mallett drops her handbag. Louisa picks it up and admires the jewels therein. She is given one. Unknown to any of the other travelers, the eyes of Carouge sparkle with covetousness when he sees the beautiful jewelry carried by Mrs. Mallett, and when the latter retires that night her bedroom door is quietly opened and Carouge takes her jewel bag. Mrs. Mallett dies the next morning and Henriette is advised of her death. Accompanied by Pierre Dorchain, she starts for Switzerland. Dressed in masculine attire she arrives at the inn, where she meets Father Gurth mixing his poisonous baits with which to catch foxes, and he tells her how deadly it is to human beings. Later Henriette meets Louisa and learns how she was given the ring which belonged to her (Henriette's) mother. She risks permission to spend the night in the room where her mother had died, and the next morning the innkeeper is astounded to find what would seem to be the dead person herself. In spite of all the threats, Henriette is unable to have him prove anything but his innocence. Henriette returns to Paris, where she receives commission to paint the portrait of Countess d'Attill, upon whom she recognizes a cameo as having belonged to her dead mother. Learning that the jewel was purchased at a noted Parisian antiquary, the women go there and obtain that the jewels were purchased some time ago from a man by the name of Carouge, who had established his identity. On the pretense that she, Pierre and Countess d'Attill want to buy jewelry, Henriette requests Carouge to call at her studio. Upon meeting Henriette he imagines that he sees in her the apparition of her mother and asks her pardon. Carouge escapes before the police arrive, but is finally trailed to his haunt, where he climbs to the roof, and in his struggle with Henriette they both fall over, Carouge is killed; Henriette is miraculously saved.
- McCarthy was killed. The very day his slain body was found he and his son has violently quarreled. A little later the youth was seen following the father with a gun under his arm. McCarthy evidently has no enemies; there was no tangible motive for the crime to be connected with anybody but the murdered man's son. Yes, his son was innocent. By marvelous deduction and phenomenal precaution and intuition, Sherlock Holmes unraveled the startling mystery and fastened the guilt upon the real perpetrator of the crime. Jack Turner and his men are seeking gold in Australia. They are disappointed in their search and Turner is threatened with mutiny by the men. At that moment a convoy of a rich prospector passes and is held up and robbed of all his gold by Turner's man. James McCarthy, the owner, is sent away on a horse with his little daughter in his arms. Fifteen years later, James Turner is living happily in England, the owner of a large farm. Meeting McCarthy in poor circumstances, and fearing disclosure, Turner otters McCarthy money for his silence. Alice Turner and Jack McCarthy meet and fall in love with each other. Jack asks Turner for Alice's hand, but the boy is rejected, and, downhearted he goes to his father, to whom he relates his troubles. McCarthy has an idea. He goes to Turner and threatens to tell Alice of her father's past life if he will not consent to his daughter's marriage to his son. Turner again bribes McCarthy with money, but Jack has witnessed the bribery and he demands an explanation from his father, which is refused and an argument ensues. Two farm hands hear the argument. A few minutes later McCarthy is found by his son, murdered on the road. All appearances are against Jack as being the murderer of his father and Alice Turner, his fiancée appeals to Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock, in his investigation, picks up a pipe and a piece of broken bottle. This clue leads him to Turner, whom he immediately suspects. Under the grilling third degree of Sherlock, Turner confesses his guilt, and taking a revolver, ends it all, thus atoning for two crimes. Upon McCarthy's confession. Jack is released and he and Alice are made happy.
- After many years of experimentation Dr. William Burton, a noted bacteriologist, finds that he has discovered the bacillus of hydrophobia. He confides his discovery to a friend, John Armand, a neurasthenic, who pays but little attention to what he says and reminds him that he has called for an opiate. Although he has been out of practice for a number of years. Dr. Burton agrees to treat Annette, the daughter of a poor woman named Mme. Verdier. He does not accept compensation for his services and a few weeks later he finds himself so much in love with the young lady that he marries her. Mari, the doctor's servant, who has been with him all during his life as a recluse, is greatly perturbed over her master's marriage. Armand regards the doctor's domestication as a joke and, forgetting the sacredness of friendship, he forces his attentions upon Annette, who being an impressionable person, quickly succumbs to his inveiglement. One morning Mari observes that Annette is extremely happy over the receipt of a letter she has received. She hides it in the drawing-room desk and Mari, upon investigating, is startled to learn that it is from Armand, who has declared his love. Mari tells the doctor of his wife's perfidy. He at first does not believe it, hut upon seeing the letter, he gives way to bitter reproach for having married at his advanced age. That evening Armand's man calls for another dose of the opiate. The doctor had apportioned it when his eye catches sight of the vial containing the deadly bacillus of hydrophobia. He hesitates; he will not be guilty of murder, so he goes to the reception room with the opiate. There his wife embraces him and showers him with kisses. Her infamy determines him to substitute a dose of bacillus of hydrophobia for that of the opiate, and he goes to the laboratory to carry out his malevolent intention. Returning he gives Armand's man the bacillus. A few days later Armand complains of a fever, and in order to have "better treatment" the doctor orders his removal to his house. The doctor then tells Armand what he has learned concerning Annette's actions and what he has done in revenge. Almost instantaneous with the doctor's last word, Armand becomes a madman. He wrecks the house and springs at the doctor. The noise brings in Annette and the doctor forces her to the madman. He chokes her into insensibility, and her screams summon the doctor who, in going to her aid, is pounced upon by the madman. The doctor dies of the wounds inflicted and the madman, already in the throes of death, is finally subsided by the servants, Annette is now left alone to face the terrible retribution which she has laid for herself.
- The mad whirl of the garish cafés, the intoxicating strains of subdued music, the subtle influence of the bright lights were wrecking Dr. Carlton's life. Home, wife and child were forgotten in his insane rush for pleasure. One night, the little girl became ill very suddenly. The mother, in despair, went to the café after her husband and pleaded with him to return and treat the baby, but he, in his drunken brutality, drove her away. The next day the doctor left home forever. That was the last straw. The wife's endurance was gone, the last shred of patience and love had fled. She drooped like a flower denied rain, and soon passed into the Great Beyond. Ten years later Doctor Carlton began to realize where his life would eventually lead him and he checked his rapid pace. He saw that his brutality had killed his wife, and made frantic efforts to locate his daughter. All his efforts, however, were in vain, so he turned again to the old life. He was invited to a garden party given by Baron Melidoff. The attraction of the evening was to be the celebrated artist Maude Iris. The fitting climax of the night of debauchery was to be a reckless lottery of this woman of the world. Carlton was the winner, but such things were now repulsive. He refused the envied advantage and returned to his private hospital, which he had established. The following day he had information which gladdened his heart, but at the same time made him suffer untold agony. Maude Iris, who had sold her soul for pretty baubles, and who had given her kisses for coins, was none other than his only daughter. He hastened to her, but she refused to acknowledge his parenthood and bitterly rebuked him for the death of her mother. She taunted him with being the cause of the depth to which she had sunk. Years passed. The glory of Maude Iris vanished, age dimmed her beauty. She frequented the shadows and paid the ruthless wage of sin. She became the mistress of the motley, the queen of the worthless. One day she was carried by chance to her father's hospital with a fractured skull which had been received in a saloon brawl. Bravely the father fought his battle with death. At last, it seemed as though the victory was won. She opened her eyes and recognized him. Immediately the old hatred dominated her and she began to hurl forth her bitter reproaches. Something snapped in the father's heart and the hot tears welled from his eyes. Kneeling by her side, his body heaving with sobs, he begged forgiveness for the wrong he had done. Somewhere from within the callous heart of the hardened Iris the little human germ of womanhood came to the surface, and she also wept. The tears washed away her sins. In a sudden, overwhelming impulse, she threw her arms around her father's neck in a paroxysm of grief, her eyes looked into his and there, through the mist of tears, he read the victory over sin. Her face lighted by a new and wondrous radiance, and her trembling lips breathed words of forgiveness and endearment. But their happiness was short lived. The penalty must be paid. The new-found daughter died in the doctor's arms.