The Crooked Path

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Harold Grigsby, a clever and polished scoundrel, whose aristocratic connections have gained for him entree into fashionable society, succeeded so well in covering up his crooked dealings that no one even suspected him of being anything but a gentleman of honor and integrity. Now Harold Grigsby, although a blood relation, was not a particular favorite of the old mayor's; but knowing that a will was being drawn up by the family notary, he determines to be present at the promised reading of the document to learn just how far he is remembered in the bequests. In the library of the stately old home one evening, the important event takes place. The old lawyer, conscious of the solemnity of the occasion, is reading the will in his slow, methodical way. Around him are gathered the members of the household. In the background and aloof from the rest stands the sullen and morose Harold, evincing no sign of outward emotion, yet inwardly awaiting in eager anticipation the portioning of the property. A box containing the family jewels, worth thousands of dollars, is brought out, and the old man points with pride to the precious ornaments which were once the treasured keepsakes of his dear departed wife. Telling the girls that when he is laid at rest the jewels would pass to them and for them to cherish these heirlooms as they would their own honor, no one notices the look of avarice that shoots from the eyes of Harold. The reading of the will continues, and when Harold learns that his share is much less than that of his fair cousins, he mutters a biter oath under his breath and silently leaves the room. He then hastens to the home of "Chug" Sloan, a crook, to whom he unfolds a scheme by which they might get possession of the Grigsby jewels. Chug's wife, a poor but honest woman, overhears something of the plot, but not enough to learn upon whom the crime was to be committed. Returning to the house. Chug is sent around to the library window to keep close watch on the other members of the household, and when he finds the old mayor alone he is to go through the window and seize the box of jewels and pass them out through the door to Harold, who would be waiting to receive them: then return out through the window and meet Harold at an appointed spot, where his share of the swag will be given him. The programme is carried out to the letter as far as getting the treasure is concerned. Chug enters the room and with one blow of a heavy cudgel smashes the lamp on the library table, leaving the room in darkness. Then quickly handing the box through the door to his confederate, he makes his escape through the window. But the crafty Harold has no intention of dividing the spoils. He will bury the jewels and then defy his ignorant confederate to force him to relinquish them. When Chug reaches the spot appointed for the meeting, Harold is nowhere to be seen. Then, realizing that he has been duped, he swears vengeance on his crooked partner, and starts away before the alarm of robbery can be given. He is making his way through the garden in the rear of the house, when his sharp eyes discern the form of a man running rapidly towards the stables. Recognizing his accomplice, he stealthily follows him and sees him procure a spade, and then strike out towards the woods nearby. Still keeping him in sight. Chug trails him to a lonely spot, where he sees the crafty scoundrel remove the jewels from the box, wrap them up in his handkerchief, and bury them. Then disposing of his spade, he hastens away. "You will give me the sack, will yon, Mr. Grigsby?" growls the crook, as with his bare hands he uncovers the treasure and removing the jewels from the handkerchief thrusts them into his pocket, and chuckling over his shrewdness hurries away to his favorite grogshop. Having procured enough drink to make him reckless. Chug repairs to his home and shows his wife the result of his night's work. The poor creature is grieved and frightened by the disclosure and begs him to in some manner return the jewels before they are traced to his door. Laughing at her fears, the brutal crook places them in an old sock, and hiding them in a large chest, declares his intention of going for more drink. The detective at the manor is just about to leave to start his men at work on the case, when a pale, frightened woman enters the room and asking for the master of the house delivers the stolen jewels into his hands. With a gasp of astonishment and chagrin Harold staggers back and all but betrays his guilt before he can regain his composure. "Where did you get possession of these jewels?" sharply demands the detective. "My husband brought them home, sir. He got them from that man," pointing to Harold. With the cry of an enraged beast, the guilty man springs forward as though he would crush the shrinking woman. Seizing him roughly, the detective holds him back and tells him that he must accompany him to the house of his suspected accomplice and there face him on the charge. Seeing that resistance is useless, Harold agrees to go. Seeing that he is trapped, the rascally nephew makes a break to escape, but a bullet from the officer's pistol wounds him in the leg and he surrenders. The two criminals are handcuffed together and taken before the old mayor, who identifies Chug as his assailant. The pair of crooks are then led away to prison, while the old mayor, overjoyed over the return of his precious jewels, rewards the poor wife by promising to take care of her and give her a home on his estate.