- After Mary Page marries Fred Walton, she soon discovers that he is a womanizer. She tries to ignore Fred's affairs but, refuses to file for divorce even when Platt Sinclair, her husband's lawyer, urges her to do so. Mary does not realize that Sinclair is actually helping Fred, who is in love with his current mistress, Helen Lee, and wants to marry her. To escape her misery, Mary organizes a settlement house in the slums and there meets reporter Eric Mann, with whom she becomes very close. One night, as Sinclair goes to Mary's house to try to convince her to change her mind, he sees Eric through the window and informs Fred that she is seeing another man. Fred wants to sue Mary for divorce, but when Eric threatens Sinclair with disbarment, the suit is dropped. One night, Mary interrupts Fred during his evening with Helen on the same night that Jimmy Hope, a burglar, is robbing their house. The result of the night's activities are the death of Fred and the ultimate arrest of the real murderer who was obsessed with Hope.—Pamela Short
- Married life proves an empty dream for Mary Page Walton. She knew Fred Walton was no angel, but thought he would mend his ways. Mary closed her eyes to most of her husband's doings. At last, Piatt Sinclair, her husband's lawyer, tells her she should start divorce proceedings. Sinclair acts on Fred's suggestion. Fred is having an affair with Helen Lee. She thinks he, posing as a single man, loves her. Mary refuses to sue and, to escape the unhappiness of her home, organizes a settlement house in the slums. Eric Mann, a reporter, is assigned to cover Mrs. Walton's social work. His great interest in the work brings them much in each other's company. Sinclair returns to Mrs. Walton one evening to see if she has changed her mind. He finds Eric there interviewing the social worker. Sinclair rushes to Walton, whom he finds with Helen. Taking him aside, he tells him a tale of what he saw in his home. Sinclair's fine imagination adds much color to Eric's business call. Walton, feeling hurt, tells Sinclair to start suit. When Eric learns of the case he angrily tells Sinclair he will have him disbarred. Sinclair decides to drop the suit. Meantime Mary is living at the settlement house. One night she returns to her home for some of her effects. Walton was giving a little "at home" for Helen. Jimmy Hope, a crook, was also in the house on a professional call, but had been surprised on his way out and forced to hide behind a fire screen. Walton hides Helen in a closet. The wife hears a rustle and approaches to open the door. She grasps the knob and pulls. Helen, on the inside, pulls, too. Walton finally pushes Mary into the hall. Just then Sinclair is admitted. Eric now comes up the walk, hears the rumpus inside and stops, uncertain whether to enter. The door opens. Eric leaps into the shadows. Mary hastily comes down the steps and hurries off. Helen now flees from the home. She is followed by Sinclair. As Eric is about to enter the open door, he sees the crook leap out of a window and disappear. The reporter rushes in and finds Walton dead on the floor. He summons the police and is arrested himself. The next morning finds Mary on a train going back to mother. Helen is sitting beside her, also going home. The morning papers arrive. Mary learns her husband has been murdered. She collapses, and Helen tries to calm her. In curiosity Helen opens the paper and finds a picture of the slain man. She recognizes Walton, whom she knew under another name. Then she collapses. Mary suspects Helen is the murderer and has her brought back for trial. Meantime, Jimmy Hope has been arrested for a robbery. While Mary and Helen are at the police station, the district attorney and Sinclair enter. Sinclair at his own request, has been appointed special prosecutor for the case. He asks that Eric be brought out for a hearing. By mistake the turnkey brings in Hope. On seeing Mrs. Walton, Helen and Sinclair, Hope gasps. Thinking he is to be accused of murder, he squawks. Jimmy, from behind the fire screen, had seen all the happenings of the mysterious night. He traces the movements of each person in the tragedy and names the person who killed Walton.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content