Volume II: Filmography Volume II: Filmography
September 7, 1914 (Monday)
Length: 2 reels (reels 23 and 24)
Note: A paragraph in Reel Life, May 23, 1914, noted: "Lloyd F. Lonergan, author of the scenario version of The Million Dollar Mystery, by Harold MacGrath, has been visiting the writer in Syracuse, where they have been collaborating on the 12th installment of the big Thanhouser serial."
SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, September 5, 1914:
"After her trying experiences in Episodes Ten and Eleven, which culminated in her rescue of Norton from death under the wheels of the 'Lightning Express,' Florence, upon her return home, determines to remain within the safe walls of the Hargreave mansion for an indefinite rest. Not so Norton, who, little the worse for his desperate adventure, redoubles his efforts to learn the plans of the conspirators. The Countess Olga, now recovered from her injuries in the wreck, is brought back to the city by Braine, whose fertile mind is still filled with schemes for getting trace of the missing million.
"Meanwhile, a ship, bound for the Bahamas, while weighing anchor in New York harbor, brings up a mysterious strongbox from the mud and sand at the bottom of the bay. One of the sailors, realizing that it may contain treasure, hides it in his gunny-sack. At the end of the voyage, however, he loses the box overboard again in a fight with the mate, but not before he has seen the name of 'Hargreave' upon it. All this, of course, neither the conspirators nor Florence know. What Braine and the others do know, however, is that a mysterious stranger has been loitering around the grounds of the Hargreave mansion and has had several secret conferences with old Jones, the butler.
"Just who it is, that Braine suspects this stranger to be, is not entirely apparent, but that he menaces the plans of the conspirators seems certain. Learning, late one evening that the man is lurking in the Hargreave grounds, Braine and the Countess Olga take a hurried trip thither in a taxi. While the Countess remains in the taxi, Braine makes a hurried reconnaissance. He sees the mysterious man in earnest colloquy with Jones, and, taking careful aim with his revolver, prepares to remove him forever from interference with the conspirators' schemes.
"Just at that moment, however, Florence, who has come to her window to enjoy the limpid moonlight, sees Braine in the garden and realizes his deadly intention. Quick as a flash she seizes a pistol from her bureau drawer and fires, just in time to wound Braine's upraised hand. Balked, the conspirator makes a hurried escape in the waiting taxi, and when old Jones returns to the house, in spite of Florence's inquiries, strangely enough he refuses to disclose the identity of the personage with whom he was conferring, still less the subject of their conversation.
"In the meantime, Jackson, loitering in one of the rough resorts by the harbor, overhears the sailor, who had first found and then lost the mysterious treasure box, recount his strange experience. A few questions and he makes certain that it is none other than the strongbox which contains the missing million. Having learned its approximate location, he hastens to the meeting room of the conspirators and makes a report. After some discussion one of the members of the gang is sent to the Bahamas with instructions to bring back the box, no matter what the cost.
"The conspirators having ceased their activities, Norton realizes that something important is in the wind, but is unable to ascertain just what it is. Becoming certain that Jackson holds the secret, he trails him steadily and at last plans to take desperate measures. Following Jackson to the grounds of the Hargreave mansion, he attacks him, and, with the aid of Jones, leaves him pinioned behind a thick hedge. From papers in Jackson's pocket he learns the secret of the conspirators' haunt and the passwords necessary to enter it, and also the fact that the gang are momentarily expecting the return of their agent from the Bahamas.
"Providing themselves with the necessary masks, Norton and Jones set out for the conspirators' den. Neither of them have formed any plan, but decide to trust to developments after they obtain entrance. These come rapidly. Hardly have they entered the room where the conspirators are gathered, than the messenger returns with the precious box.
"Braine, with his hand still injured by Florence's shot, is sent for, as is the Countess Olga, and the masked conspirators gather round the table on which the box is laid. With a hammer and cold chisel one of the gang makes ready to open it. Just as he raises his arm to strike the lock a smashing blow, the lights are suddenly extinguished. At once there is the greatest confusion and when, a moment later, the lights are turned on again the chest is gone.
"While the infuriated Braine and his satellites search wildly for the traitors, whom they then know for the first time have been in their midst, Jackson suddenly appears. He has managed to struggle out of the bonds with which Norton and Jones had bound him, and the news which he tells the other conspirators of the search the two had made of his pockets, is not at all comforting. The conspirators hurry vainly in every direction to head off Norton and Jones, but to no purpose. They have vanished utterly and with them the elusive treasure. In the last scene two mysterious hands are seen lowering the fateful treasure box into the depths of an old well."
SYNOPSIS, Movie Pictorial, August 29, 1914:
"As the anchor arises from the water, a sailor on a tramp steamer, due to sail for the Bahamas, notices a strange box suspended from the iron prong - climbs down the chains - takes it from its uncertain position. As he smuggles it to his room, he wonders as to its painted inscription: 'Stanley Hargreave.'
"Arrived at their destination, he attempts to take the box ashore - quarrels with a fellow sailor, and the box slips into the sea! About this time a mysterious stranger calls on Jones. Who is he - twin, double or - who? As Braine and Olga watch through the shrubbery, Braine raises his pistol to fire. Florence, through her window above, sees him grasp a revolver, fires - Braine's right arm drops limp at his side! Upon the sailor's return, he talks volubly about the treasure-chest. Vroon hears - calls into service a man with a wonderful deep sea diving record and at the Bahamas the box is rescued from the sea. Brought north, it is hurried to the Black Hundred rooms. They crowd around it to view its contents. The lights go out. The box is gone; with it three Black Hundred members vanish! Who were the traitors?"
REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, September 19, 1914:
"This is a lively two-reel installment. The treasure box is raised from the ocean bed on the anchor of a vessel and later thrown overboard again. The conspirators send a man, who brings it up a second time. Norton and Jackson [sic; apparently Jones was intended] don masks and attend the meeting of the Black Hundred, where they make away with the box. An exciting number."
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Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.