The Combination of the Safe (1912)

Smith Weston, a diamond importer, trusts implicitly in his companion and secretary, Atland Harrison, who has been in his employ for over twenty years. A large consignment of diamonds has just been received and is placed in a special safe, the combination of which is known only to Weston. Harrison having occasion to procure some papers from a private box of his employer, accidentally comes upon the combination of the special safe. He finds his fears are groundless, but realizes that in his room, but at the office be becomes uneasy. He finally feigns illness and hurries home to see if the combination is where he left it. Arriving home, he finds his fears are groundless, but realizes that he will never be able to trust the combination to a hiding-place again. He therefore decides to memorize it. Having committed the combination to memory, he destroys all possible evidence of his knowledge and burns the slip. At a late hour Harrison makes a trip downtown, he secures the diamonds with little difficulty and returns home. The following day consternation reigns in the office of Weston when it is discovered that the contents of the special safe are missing. Detectives are called in and a search is inaugurated. A week later as Weston, prostrated from his loss, sits propped up in a chair, his pet parrot repeats the combination of the special safe. Startled, Weston sends for the detectives. The detectives declare at once that the combination of the special safe is repeated in the hearing of the parrot. Learning that Harrison occupies a room adjoining that of Weston, the detectives are convinced of the secretary's guilt. Harrison decides to leave the country, but the detectives follow by various clues and finally capture him aboard an ocean liner.

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Summary Details
GenresCrime Drama Short
CastRole
Earle Foxe
George W. Middleton
Stuart Holmes