The Death Trap (1913)

On adjoining farms in California live Nora, a young woman who attends to her own affairs, and Craven, whose farming is a blind for counterfeiting operations. Unsuspected by his neighbors be uses them for the disposal of his illegitimate product. The flooding of the district with counterfeit money attracts the attention of the government and a secret service man is assigned. He traces the flow of the money to a market where Nora and Craven have stands. In making a purchase at Nora's stand Eaton, the detective, receives a counterfeit coin in change and jumps to the conclusion that she is in league with the gang. He disguises himself as a farm hand and applies for work. Just as he arrives at the farm Nora and Craven are engaged in an altercation, due to Craven's attempts to force his attentions on the girl. Eaton frightens Craven away, but the latter naturally takes a strong dislike to the new farm hand who is hired by Nora. Later Eaton finds an opportunity to search Nora's house, but finds no evidence. Meanwhile, Craven has nursed his grudge and in the course of his shadowing he discovers that the detective occasionally climbs over the high bluffs and changes his clothes, going off in the direction of the town. Craven visits the hiding-place and finds clothes with a detective badge pinned to the vest. Meanwhile, Eaton receives his wages from Nora and sees that the coins are counterfeit. He asks her how she came by the money and she tells him they were given her by Craven in payment of horse. While Eaton is searching for Craven, the counterfeiter has been originating a diabolical plan to kill the detective in a manner that will leave the slayer with a clear alibi. Realizing that Eaton must pass up through the gorge, Craven sets up his rifle at the top pointing downward and by means of a string attached to the trigger and stretched across the path below, Eaton shall spring it so that he will receive the bullet. Then he starts down the trail, so that he can have witnesses that he was at the farm when the shooting occurred. He meets Nora and again attempts to force his attentions. She enrages him by her resistance and breaking away from him runs into her bedroom and holds the door. Craven follows her. Meanwhile, Eaton is approaching the death trap. Nora holds the door against her infuriated assailant for a time, but her strength finally leaves her and he bursts the door open and enters the room. Eaton arrives at the point where the fatal string is stretched across the road, but a stone in the path turns his ankle and sends him sprawling. He falls across the string discharging the rifle. The bullet whistles over his head, plunges downward and crashes through the window of the ranch house below. Nora and Craven are struggling and as the bullet enters, it finds its mark, and Craven falls dead. Eaton, on top of the hill, examines the trap, realizes that it was meant for him, hurries down the bluff and finds Nora and her mother in a hysterical condition. Nora and Eaton go back into the room of death and satisfy themselves that Craven has died by his own hand. Nora's joy over Eaton's escape betrays her into an admission which brings complete understanding between the two.

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Summary Details
Running Time11 min
GenresDrama Short