- Little Carol Montgomery's father, a navy commander, discovers a spy in the house, he earnestly counsels the family not to answer questions regarding themselves. Later, while attempting to follow her mother, Carol becomes lost on the subway, and, taking her father's words to heart, refuses to tell a police officer who she is. Eluding the officer, Carol falls asleep in a tenement hallway where she is found by Beppo, an organ grinder who decides to add her to his show. They travel south, where, becoming separated from Beppo, Carol seeks refuge at the Fairfax plantation. Mrs. Fairfax, estranged from her husband because he had disowned their daughter years earlier when she eloped without his permission, refuses to speak to anyone. However, under Carol's winning influence, the Fairfaxes are reconciled and send for their long-lost daughter, who turns out to be Carol's mother.—Pamela Short
- On the eve of sailing, Commander Montgomery, of the Cruiser Pawnee, receives orders which read: "You will understand the spy menace should not be underestimated; we suggest that you caution all members of your household against answering any and all questions regarding yourself." Carol, the commander's little daughter, calls the servants and the commander impresses upon them the necessity for being silent. After the departure of the servants Carol asks her father what spies are. Commander Montgomery places his papers in a wall safe. Carol, remembering that she has forgotten to say good-night to her daddy, goes downstairs and finds James in the act of rifling the safe. James is captured and proves to be a spy. This makes a deep impression on Carol and she is again warned not even to tell her name or where she lives to strangers. A few days later Mrs. Montgomery goes to call on her husband's mother. Later Carol, becoming lonely, decides to follow her mother. She falls asleep on a subway train, the guard asks her name. She says she can't tell him but that she thinks she knows her way. However, she is lost and later wanders into a tenement. She is found on the steps by Beppo, an Italian organ grinder. He takes her upstairs and shows her his trained money, Garibaldi. A few days later Beppo orders her to dance so that he may judge whether she can make money for him. Then they wander south. A week later, Beppo leaves Carol in charge of Garibaldi, while he goes to drink some wine. The monkey runs away and Carol after it. She finally captures Garibaldi and they find refuge in a barn. Carol is found by Uncle Zeb, and his wife Mammy Lou. They take Carol and the monkey into the house which is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax. Mrs. Fairfax has not spoken for ten years. She communicates her messages by writing on a slate. Carol is told by Mammy Lou the reason why Mrs. Fairfax never speaks. Ten years before her daughter ran away with a man Col. Fairfax had no use for. He disowned his daughter and Mrs. Fairfax declared she would never speak again until he relented. Commander Montgomery returns and his wife learns that he has received none of the letters regarding Carol's disappearance. One evening, while Col. and Mrs. Fairfax and Carol are sitting together Mrs. Fairfax writes a request for Carol to tie her shoe. Carol ties the string of Mrs. Fairfax's left shoe to the string of the Colonel's right shoe. Mrs. Fairfax breaks the string and stalks upstairs. Carol says she is sorry. She sees Mrs. Fairfax kiss a photograph, and is informed that it is a portrait of Col. Fairfax as he was ten years before. The next morning Carol brings Mrs. Fairfax a bunch of flowers. She says she has brought them because she is so sorry Mrs. Fairfax cannot talk. Mrs. Fairfax writes this question on her slate: "Who told you I couldn't talk?'' Carol answers: "Mr. Fairfax. He said he had not heard you speak for so many years that his heart was starving for the sound of your voice." Mr. Fairfax sends his wife a note which says: "Please let bygones be bygones, and forgive your husband who has long since freely and fully forgiven our dear daughter and now wishes to restore you the happiness you deserve." Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax are reunited and he tells her that he has for a long time been trying to locate their daughter and has at last succeeded and that she is now coming to them. The daughter proves to be Carol's mother, and Commander Montgomery comes with her. When asked why she would not tell who she was or where she lived to any one of those who might have sent her home, she replies: "I promised daddy I would never tell anybody who I was or where I lived, no matter what happened, and I had to keep my promise."
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