The story
A widow who believed she was well off is surprised on learning from her trustees that her property had practically vanished. She consulted eminent lawyers, but had so muddled up affairs, signing anything and everything handed her, that the legalities were compelled to report that she had no chance of recovering anything. They believed that she had been the victim of sharp practice, but regretfully feared that she could not prove it. The daughter had a sweetheart, not a lawyer, but a keen, shrewd businessman. When he heard the story of the woman’s loss, he determined to recover her money. It could not be done legally, the lawyer said; the young man was too honest to commit a crime, but he figured that by properly utilizing fear he might force restitution. The young man’s theory was that everyone has secrets, and he was certain that an individual who would rob a defenseless woman must have committed other crimes. He first sent the man an anonymous letter warning, and it worked like a charm. The recipient was convinced his sin had found him out, although he was not clear as to which sin it was. Later he received a telephone warning that the police were on his track and with his own eyes saw a minion of the law approach his door. Terrified he gladly accepted the offer of his unknown friends to flee, was led to a place of safety, a deserted cottage in the woods. By this time the criminal was convinced that his condition was serious and gladly accepted the suggestion of compromise made by the unknown. So the widow, whom the law would not aid, regained her fortune and the man who would have robbed her fled in terror on a freight train to seek refuge in some place where he was not known.
Summary from The Moving Picture World · 11 January 1913
