The Cipher Key (1915)
As the representative of an American ship building corporation, John Burton is sent to South America with a bid. The officials of a South American ship building concern try to prevent the Americans from securing the contract. The officials of the South American concern believe that if they can secure a copy of the American's bid they can underbid. Mendez and his ally, Talmac, follow Burton on board ship and secure the stateroom next to the one he occupies. A hole bored through the partition enables him to see Burton place the papers in his traveling bag. Later, however, Burton places them in his pocket. When Talmac searches Burton's stateroom the papers are not found. Together, that night, they tackle Burton on the deck and after knocking him down secure the papers but not the key to the cipher in which they are written. The key is on a slip of paper inserted in the barrel of his revolver. Fearing they have killed Burton they throw his body overboard. The shock of the water revives Burton and he swims until rescued by another vessel. Mendez is furious at finding the papers in cipher, and a further search of Burton's effects fails to bring forth the key. He and Talmac report their failure to the South American ship building officials, who also fail in deciphering the plans. Burton, meanwhile, reaches South America and later is seen and followed by Mendez. He is attacked in his room and searched but nothing is found but an invitation to the Embassy Ball which the American Ambassador has given him. This was at his request so that he could meet Angelica Sorenko. Talmac left Burton his revolver and in that way passed by his one chance of getting what he wanted. Mendez prevails upon Angelica, whom he loves, to help him secure the key. At the ball Angelica and Burton meet. She plays her game and gets him to escort her home. Mendez and Talmac with the aeroplane, station themselves near the house to get away at once if she secures a translation of the plans which have been entrusted to her. Burton makes love to Angelica and she makes her love the price of the cipher key. He seizes her and passionately kisses her. She scathingly rebukes him. Ashamed and seeing nothing but failure facing him, he hands her his revolver and tells her to shoot him. She tests his nerve and finds it unfailing. Her interest in Burton turns to love and giving him the papers begs him to escape. Mendez, jealous and impatient, has come to the house and is watching through the window. Burton compels Angelica to consent to escape with him. He gives her both papers and key to send to the Navy Department it he is killed. Mendez tries but tails to prevent their leaving. They escape in his auto and are followed by Mendez and Talmac in an aeroplane. A running fight through the country and down the coast follows. Angelica does the shooting while Burton drives the car. Mendez, shot from his seat in the aeroplane, falls to the ground, dying. Talmac takes his seat at great peril and continues the chase. The auto breaks down and Burton seizes the fast motorboat. Talmac wheels about to follow but a bullet strikes the engine and an explosion follows in which the machine dashes to the ground. Out of the wreckage crawls Talmac and in another motorboat continues the chase. His ammunition gives out and a well-directed bullet from Burton's revolver sends him to his death. Burton and Angelica reach the Navy Department in time to get the secret bid in, and later with a congratulation cablegram from his firm secures a double reward.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| George Terwilliger | Director |
| George Terwilliger | Writer |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Earl Metcalfe | |
| Mary Keane | |
| Kempton Greene | |
| Herbert Fortier |
