- Lady Linderdale is dying and at her last gasp her old servant, Richard, swears a solemn oath to her he will watch over her child who is the sole heir. Three years have passed. Lord Linderlade, the celebrated poet, has composed an opera in which the famous artiste, Hazel Clarke, takes part. At the rehearsal and on the evening of her triumph, the poet is fascinated by her and asks for her hand. Hazel is flattered but does not accept his offer. She loves and is loved by Arthur Morris, a colleague in art, and she is faithful to her betrothed. However, old Clarke has ruined himself at the gaming tables and by his deep cunning touches his daughter's heart by making her foresee their sad future of poverty and her consequent impossibility of marrying Morris and her necessity for marrying the rich poet. Hazel yields. The news of such a marriage terrifies Richard. He makes entreaties to his master but to no avail. The child is to have a step-mother but Richard decides he will watch over him ready to stoop to crime. He has sworn it. As Hazel is now a rich woman her father continually demands money. Her husband who is deeply attached to her one day shows her his will. Richard also has seen it. It is in favor of the woman. He feels an intense hatred for his master and mistress. He does not yet know how but he intends to destroy the will. Hazel has locked it up in a desk in her boudoir and substituted another will. Morris cannot make up his mind to go away without seeing the woman he loves, and writes imploring her to grant him an interview at night in the pavilion of the garden. The letter is intercepted by Richard, who begins his deadly web. He shows it to Lord Linderdale who decides to prevent the affront to his name so accepts his servant's advice and feigns a departure. In the night Lord Linderdale decides to kill Morris, but a hand of iron grips him strangles him his revolver falls. The stalwart servant lifts him up and takes him toward the river into which he throws him. He then hastens to his master's study and destroys the will. Morris goes sadly away. Not even a single kiss has he had from the woman who willingly sacrificed her happiness for her father. While Morris crosses the avenue he sees something shining brightly on the ground and picks up the poet's revolver. Lord Linderdale has been rescued and brought back to recovery. His wife is anxious over his absence. Richard feigns ignorance of the reason for his delay. Hazel remembers the document telling how, in case of death, the poet's property would lawfully pass into the hands of his wife. Richard spies every movement, sees all, reads the few lines and is thunderstruck. He has only made the winning game of that woman; Richard must get rid of her. He denounces her to the police. Evidence is against Hazel and she is arrested on the charge of having murdered her husband. Morris, having learned all from the newspapers, hastens to save her. He declares that he is the murderer producing before the eyes of the jury the revolver which he had taken from the poet on that tragic night. Again does Richard find himself powerless. The castle is now left in his care. In the meantime, the missing lord who is supposed to be dead, enters his castle by stealth. From a deserted room he will be able to watch like a ghost. During the night a terrible vision haunts the troubled dreams of Richard. He runs from his room. Mad with terror he reaches the drawing room and there surprises a house breaker at work. After throwing the rascal to the floor, Richard becomes like a person struck by lightning. The thief has an extraordinary resemblance to his deceased master. A substitution takes place. Richard will present the poet in court. Lured by the promise of a high reward the thief puts on the poet's clothes. Linderdale observes all and smiles. Richard is happy. He will have another will drawn up by the false Linderdale bequeathing all his fortune to the little one. Hazel finds a change in Lord Linderdale. The disguised thief knows that some millions in shares belonging to Lord Linderdale are in the hands of the family lawyer. He telephones to him and tells him to bring all the shares at once. The enormous sum is now in the hands of the thief. However, Richard watches and that same night surprises the thief as he is trying to escape with the stolen fortune. In a hand-to-hand struggle they fall together on the carpet. The petroleum escapes from a broken lamp, catches fire and in a few minutes the fire has spread. A ghost then appears, two hands are seen stretching out and the three disappear. Richard recognizes his real master and stands like one petrified. He attempts to make his escape but it is too late. The flames surround him and make him their prey. The poet succeeds in saving his child, since he is believed to be dead and knowing that by his marriage to Hazel he has broken her heart, what would be the use of returning to life? Dickson is found dead in the ruins. A year passes. Morris and Hazel are married. A letter from Mr. Douglas, the family lawyer, arrives saying, "The late Lord Linderdale, who met his death in the fire of Linderdale Palace last year has bequeathed to you 100,000 francs."—Moving Picture World synopsis
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