The Clue (1913)
A wealthy banker, Peter Oakley, is giving a reception. The guests are exclusive people of leisure, and among them are Philip Smalley, an amateur detective, and Julian, an old friend of the hostess. Dr. Brandt arrives. While waiting for the banker he lays down his medical case. The guests are curious and they look through the case and examine a hypodermic needle and a phial of poison, a drop of which, the doctor explains, is sufficient to kill ten men. The banker holds Brandt's note, which is already mature. Brandt insists that the banker give him more time on the note and the hanker refuses. The two men seat themselves before a pair of portieres; the banker produces a threatening letter sent to him by Brandt. They quarrel. From the rear a hand is seen to cut a rent in the portiere. This hand then feels the position of the banker's arm. It withdraws; the hand reappears, holding a hypodermic syringe. The needle is forced into the banker's arm. The poison is potent and the banker dies, after a few gasps. All in confusion until Smalley takes temporary charge of the case. He soon ascertains that the banker was murdered. He finds a broken bit of hypodermic needle in the dead man's arm, and upon one of his cuff-links a thumb print, bearing a V-shaped scar. The police are summoned by Julian. Upon the floor near the spot of the murder is found a threatening letter from Brandt to the banker. Every clue points to the fact that Brandt is the murderer and the doctor is overcome with terror of the situation. The police arrive, and Smalley turns over to the lieutenant of police all the dues which he has collected. The lieutenant hastily concludes that Brandt is guilty, especially as an unintentional eavesdropper testifies that she heard the two men quarreling violently. As the lieutenant is about to lead Brandt off Smalley suggests that the case pend a few moments while he make further investigations. Smalley sits in the chair, a moment before occupied by the dead man. He rehearses the moment preceding the murder. His eye finds the rent in the portiere. Behind the portiere he finds a hypodermic syringe with a broken needle and a lady's handkerchief. All ladies in the room disclaim ownership. By its rare perfume he concludes that it belongs to the hostess. He presents it to her and she faints, Julian is very much concerned. Smalley takes up Julian's cigarette case which lays upon the table. On its polished surface he finds the thumb spring bearing a V-shaped scar. Smalley places the hypodermic syringe in the cigarette case and leaves it on the table. Julian takes it up, opens it, and Smalley sees on his face that he is the culprit. Julian strolls to the door, when he is confronted by a policeman. He returns to the center of the room and in a glance between himself and Smalley he understands that the game is up. From his pocket he takes a small bundle of letters and hands them to his hostess. The lieutenant places his hand upon Julian's shoulder and arrests him. With a rapid movement Julian uses the remaining poison in the syringe to make his own quietus. He jabs the needle into his arm and dies as quickly as the banker. The letters that he gave the banker's wife were love letters and they show that it was at her suggestion that the husband be put out of the way to the end that they might secure their freedom.
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Lois Weber | Director |
| Lois Weber | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Rupert Julian | |
| Phillips Smalley | |
| Laura Oakley |
