The Sheriff and the Detective (1910)
A continuous series of robberies were baffling the population and the sheriff of Elk Lick, in that they were perpetrated by a bold masked bandit upon travelers on every highway. Coincident with this situation, the arrival into town of Howard Beechwood is viewed with suspicion by the sheriff and with ill favor by the townfolk. Sheriff Smith and Beechwood are antic from the start and the constant sleuthing of the former is regarded as discreditable and accusing to Beechwood, the easterner. Incidentally the lone sympathizer with the easterner is the sheriff's daughter, and her interest becomes so apparent as to cause uneasiness to Arthur Simpson, a young ranchman, who will not brook interference from an outsider. Determined to nip the probable attachment in the bud, he proposes to her and is surprised at her refusal, even when his suit is favorably countenanced by her father, the sheriff. Simpson angrily denounces the easterner as being the masked outlaw, and his sentiments are upheld by the sheriff, but the girl is adamant and in turn shows him the dour. After interviewing the banker, the sheriff engages the services of his daughter as an aide in the capture of the alleged bandit. Beechwood, with the instructions to casually acquaint the easterner of the fact that money is to be sent from the bank in a buckboard accompanied by one man instead of the usual escort. At the deliverance of this remark, she notes with failing heart the sudden pallor depicted on his face. The next morning the buckboard leaves the bank whereupon Beechwood stealthily usurps the driver's place, and escorted by two deputies, for he is a secret detective with orders to bring the desperado to justice, drives furiously off. At the same instant the sheriff, heading a posse is lying in wait for the suspected bandit, who suddenly appears at the approach of the buckboard and fires a hailing shot. He misses his mark and is himself caught by the return lire of the detective. Meanwhile Ruth regretting her share in the entrapment, is riding toward the buckboard with the object of warning young Beechwood, and is just in time to see the easterner shoot the bandit. Realizing that their suspicions were unfounded she hastens to uncover the masked bandit, only to be stopped by the detective who believes that it is no other than her own father, the sheriff. Bill the sheriff and posse, having heard the exchange of shots hurriedly arrive, and the situation being cleared, both men make up with a hearty handshake. But who is the masked robber? With one accord they approach the prone figure in the roadway and turning him over, tear the mask from his features and discover Arthur Simpson. The next day she found herself locked in. However, her coronet braid on the bureau gave the girl an idea. With her clothes she quickly made a dummy for the bed, arranged the hair to peep from under the coverlet and got behind the door. Then, as her father entered carrying her breakfast, she slipped out, ran through the cellar and made for the hollow tree, where she found Lee awaiting her. Laura would not consent to he married at once, but agreed to write her father a note declaring she would commit suicide. Lee, note in hand, hurried off to the house. Here he found Nathan and Roger discussing the young woman's disappearance. Breathlessly they ran to the tree and cut the rope already fastened around her neck; then, while Roger hastened away for water to revive the fainting girl. Lee pierced his heart with a pasteboard knife. But his shout of laughter, as Laura innocently turned the bucket of water over his rival, opened the old man's eyes, and in a twinkling he was chasing the merry rascal. Nothing daunted, however, Lee set about engaging the toughest looking men in the vicinity to waylay Laura, her father and Roger as they started for prayer-meeting. In the midst of the disturbance, Lee, the conquering hero, would rush up, knock each ruffian down (for which they were to get an extra fee), and receive the old man's congratulations with his consent and blessing to their marriage. '['his scheme worked better than even Lee had planned, for just as the father was humbly offering his apology and blessing the happy couple, Bill Allen's dog took a hand, sending Roger up a tree, where he was forced to remain until Bill came home several hours later.
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GenresShort
Western
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Mark M. Dintenfass | Producer |
