The Dragnet

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James Durkin, alias Red Durkin, leaves the prison bars behind him with the resolution to do the right thing. No sooner has he reached the city than he is recognized by Detective Schulte, who resolves, after the manner of many detectives, to keep an eye on James Durkin. Durkin meets Bill Avery, who was a fellow convict. Bill has no conscientious qualms and endeavors to coax Durkin to commit a crime, but his efforts prove unavailing. Both are summoned to the detective bureau where Durkin tells Detective Schulte that he will live straight. His attitude angers the sleuth, who tells Durkin that he will sooner or later "get him." Durkin obtains a position in a cigar store, but his record comes up through the instrumentality of the detective, and he leaves the position. Durkin meets May Vernon, a homeless girl, who has been deserted by a racetrack attache, and who has enticed her from her uncle's home. She is about in desperation to take her own life when Durkin arrives opportunely and saves her, thus winning her gratitude. Bill Avery again coaxes Durkin to engage with him in burglary, but Durkin refuses. As they consult together, a raid by the police occurs and both are jailed. Then both are released and Durkin again looks for the girl whom he saved, and to whom he is attracted. Durkin later gains a position as a deliverer of ice. In the meantime May Vernon secures a position as a servant in a wealthy home. Money belonging to the lad of the house is stolen by her son. Detective Schulte is summoned. His suspicions are directed toward May, and when Durkin appears his suspicions are confirmed. However, the lady through the confession of her son, frees the girl. Bill Avery is arrested for a holdup, and to protect his pal, says that James Durkin was his confederate. The newspapers exploit Avery's alleged confession. Durkin sees it in the morning papers, and with May, whom he has married, escapes to South America. Durkin is making good in the South American country, but one day is recognized by a detective. The one redeeming trait in the hardened heart of Detective Schulte is the love of wife and family. He is assigned to go to South America and arrest James Durkin. He arrives there and enters Durkin's home. There is a desperate conflict between the detective and the persecuted Durkin, and then it is that the detective sees the happiness in the Durkin home. His heart is touched and he wires back to the detective bureau that the wrong man has been suspected.