The Foreign Spy (1912)
After serving an eight-year sentence, Ex-Captain Carter, formerly of the Third Engineers, has been released from the military prison. Carter was convicted of treason, after losing some important plans of the coast defense. It was supposed that the papers had been secured from him by a woman in the employ of a foreign government. She was known in diplomatic circles as "Celeste." The above article appearing in a daily newspaper is the keynote of the story. Carter, during the long weary years of his incarceration, has thought only of vengeance! The woman whose subtle power and perfidy had blinded him with passion, secured his confidence and betrayed his honor and his manhood is now the one haunting theme. He sets out to search for the object of his vengeance and discovers the siren upon the eve of a similar work. Celeste has an appointment with one Baron Von Stein, to whom she is to deliver plans of some of the country's coast defenses. She goes from the house to secure her victim, leaving a letter for the baron, giving the man servant, who is a party to the intrigue, full instructions. Upon the departure of the spy, the avenger. Carter, enters her apartment from the garden window. He discovers the letter, which reads: "Dear Baron, Conceal yourself upon my return. I shall have with me Lieutenant Howe, who has the new coast defense plans upon his person. Trust me to obtain them. Celeste." He replaces the letter and hides behind the portieres as the Baron enters. The servant and accomplice, following instructions, presents the letter and serves the Baron with cigarettes and wine. Celeste's carriage is heard without and the Baron is about to conceal himself when the avenger comes forth and, at the pistol's point, compels him to submit to being bound. He is then forced behind the same portieres. Celeste and the lieutenant enter. He is a manly young chap and seems to be under the spell of the woman's wiles. Wine and cigarettes are served. Celeste, in coquettish mood, endeavors to draw from him information regarding his country's defenses, etc. He, in a spirit of bewildered confidence, displays the plans he bears. She fails, however, to obtain them. Glancing at the portieres, where the Baron stands revealed to her view, held there by Carter's pistol at his back, she interprets his glance to propose coffee to the young officer. It is brought. Stealthily and unseen, from the folds of her dress the woman takes a vial containing a drug, which she puts in the young man's cup. Celeste, with a winning grace, hands him the cup, cajoling and coquetting the while. The lieutenant raises the drugged cup to his lips, but he is saved by the firm hand of the avenger. The woman is horrified. Carter hands Howe the newspaper article, saying: "I am that man!" The officer, realizing the danger so narrowly averted and well-nigh panic-stricken with fear and rage, would commit violence upon the arch-betrayer, but Carter bids him depart, claiming her for his own vengeance. The young man, breathing a prayer of gratitude, departs. In the midst of the denunciation which follows, the Baron emerges from hiding. He is unbound and, being warned, is ordered by Carter to go. Left alone with the victim of her former plots, the woman realizes her pending doom and becomes terror stricken. Securing the pistol placed by him at hand she turns it upon herself, while he gazes coldly on, the relentless executioner.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Tom Ricketts | Director |
| David Horsley | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Sydney Ayres | |
| Josephine Ditt | |
| Donald MacDonald | |
| Russell Bassett |
