Volume II: Filmography

Episode 22 .

THE MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY

THE WATERLOO OF THE CONSPIRATORS

A scene from "The Waterloo of the Conspirators," Episode 22 of THE MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY. Courtesy Donald Collins (S-70)

a.k.a. A NIGHT OF ADVENTURES

November 16, 1914 (Monday)

Length: 2 reels (reels 43 and 44)

ARTICLE, The New Rochelle Pioneer, October 17, 1914:

"The advance work of Episode 22 of The Million Dollar Mystery was finished up on Monday [October 12th]. Director Hansel and his cast will have to wait until the mystery is solved and the $10,000 prize awarded before beginning on No. 23, as this last episode will be made from the accepted solution.... In the meantime, Mr. Hansel will be busy turning out works of art and love and intrigue for the regular program."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, November 14, 1914:

"In this, the last episode of The Million Dollar Mystery, before the concluding chapter is written and produced for the screen by the Thanhouser players, and the $10,000 prize awarded, all the scattered threads of the story are gathered together and woven into a single skein, leaving only the main questions to be answered. To gain the coveted prize it will only be necessary to locate and bring back the missing million, account for Hargreave's absence and whereabouts and the reason therefor, and decide the fate of Norton, the Countess Olga, Jones, and Florence, disclosing the real identity of the last named two.

"That the mysterious documents, which Braine made such desperate efforts to obtain in Episode 21, play an important part in the final solution of the Mystery also seems probable. Certain it is that the conspirators redouble their efforts to recover them, after their loss and Braine's narrow escape from capture by Jones and Norton at the bridge. Spies are constantly to be seen on the Hargreave grounds, there are many conferences of the gang at their rendezvous in the cave, and Braine and the Countess Olga strive desperately to form some adequate plan which will head off the imminent danger to their schemes. Old Jones, the butler, also makes many trips between the Hargreave mansion and some mysterious place, where he holds many consultations with Henri Servan, the Russian minister of police and another party, whose identity is concealed.

"Realizing their danger the conspirators determine on a desperate plan. It is nothing less than the capture of Norton or Jones. A taxi, which is driven by one of the gang, lays in wait, and Norton, coming from a visit to Florence, falls into the trap. But he has not proceeded far when the discovery of a black masque on the floor of the car enlightens him as to the real designs of the chauffeur. As they come in sight of a policeman, Norton nonchalantly orders the man to stop and then before the other is aware of his design has him placed under arrest. After a brief struggle the three proceed to the station house, where the reporter lays before the lieutenant on duty the information he has about the gang, and asks for a detail to aid him in raiding their headquarters in the cave.

"Previously posted by Servan, the official quickly acquiesces and a squad of bluecoats are placed at Norton's disposal. With them the reporter goes to the cave and surrounds it. Then while some of the policemen enter the cave from the water side, the rest of the raiders wait at the other entrance until the conspirators are driven out. There is a short, sharp battle, in which Norton's dog, Shep, plays no small part, and all the gang are rounded up and placed in cells at the police station. Braine and the Countess Olga, however, are not among them.

"Meanwhile much has been happening at the Hargreave mansion. Old Jones' frequent trips to and fro have been closely tallied, and on his return from a short absence, he is accompanied by a tall, gaunt man, whose clean-shaven features bear a strange resemblance to the venerable butler's. The Countess Olga, who has been concealed on the grounds with another of the gang's scouts, hastens to Braine.

"'Come quickly,' she says pantingly. 'Our time has come. Hargreave has returned. He has just entered the house.' Forcing her way in, the Countess thrusts herself into the library, where Florence and her friend Susan are seated. 'Where is your father?' she demands. 'He is in this house. I must see him.' Florence quickly takes a pistol from the desk drawer. 'Leave this house at once,' she commands.

"But the Countess, although at bay, is not so easily to be balked. With a catlike leap she has sprung upon Florence and wrested the weapon from her just as Jones and his mysterious companion enter. Threatening them with the pistol the Countess runs to the stairs, just as Braine, coming to her aid, clambers in at the window. The Countess, seeking to aid her comrade, fires from the staircase. But instead of wounding the butler or his companion, her bullet finds its refuge in Braine's heart.

"With a cry of horror, the Countess flees to a room above, while her late ally sinks lifeless to the floor. There she hesitates between using her last cartridge on herself or casting herself from the window. In the confusion in the room below, Norton is seen to enter. Florence has flung her arms around the newcomer's neck, while Jones and Susan stand silently by. 'Father - dear father,' Norton hears her sob. Then he hears the other say, 'Now I shall tell you the secret of The Million Dollar Mystery.'"

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