- In New York's notorious Pell Street district, U.S. District Attorney Arnold Somers' men capture Queen X, known to drug smugglers as "The Queen of Chinatown," a woman with a cross-shaped birthmark on her wrist. Summers recognizes her as Janice Waltham, formerly a prominent society woman. After becoming an addict and dealer, Janice was imprisoned in underground dens filled with opium fumes to prevent her from recovering and betraying her suppliers. She refuses to name her associates despite third degree questioning. As Janice is about to be sentenced to a long prison term, Miriam Evans, whose brother George is the assistant district attorney, recognizes Janice as the former schoolmate who rescued her in a convent fire. Somers allows Miriam to take Janice home and advises George to court her to get the names of the gang leaders. With George's help, Janice develops enough will power to kick her drug habit, while George, according to their pact, stops smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee. After George secures the names, Janice, threatened by a Chinese cohort, learns about George's deal, but George, now in love, confesses this and they marry.
- "Queen X" is the story of a courageous district attorney's drive against smugglers in the notorious Pell Street district, in which his men capture "Queen X," known among Chinese and the white members of smuggling gangs as "The Queen of Chinatown." From this important capture begins one of the most sensational stories of underground intrigue ever developed. "Queen X" is recognized by the United States district attorney as a woman of position, formerly prominent in New York society, who has become a drug addict. In her blind pursuit of the black smoke she becomes familiar with secrets of the smugglers, and they, fearing that she may recover and betray them, keep her imprisoned in underground dens, steeped in the fumes of opium. During trial of "Queen X" for complicity in a plot to defraud the government, she is seen and recognized by Mary Stone, sister of John Stone, the assistant district attorney, as a former schoolmate who saved her life in a convent fire. Mary is successful in having sentence suspended in the case and she takes "Queen X" to her brother's summer home upstate in an effort to restore her to health. Stone's purpose in assenting to this arrangement is to secure information of the opium ring from his visitor. During the process he is much attracted by the girl's beauty and it is apparent that she is attracted by him. Much interested in the young woman, Stone endeavors to develop her willpower in order that she may definitely conquer the drug. In this he is successful, and then, on the suggestion of his chief, proceeds to make love to "Queen X," with the plan of inducing her to reveal secrets of the smugglers. This ruse is successful but it results in unlooked-for complications. The intimacies necessitated by this plan cause Stone to be caught in his own trap, for he soon discovers that the love he is simulating is no longer make-believe. Convinced that "Queen X" loves him, he confesses his affection for her and becomes her protector for life.
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