The Return of Richard Neal

• 1915
• Other, Drama

Gideon Hall, a reckless young man in love with Doris Blake, is saved from suicide by "Count" Nikola, a clever criminal with an original method. Nikola lends him money enough to cover a heavy gambling debt and in return asks that Hall introduce him into society. Hall agrees and in the course of time, Nikola is introduced into the Blake home. Doris feels a strange attraction for the man and feels she must go to him. It is the influence of Nikola's mesmeric mind over her will. Nikola hypnotizes Doris and tells her that at 3:13 she will get out of bed, go to her father's art gallery and steal the famous painting by Muse and will drop it out of the window. Doris obeys and at 3:13 the family is aroused by a scream and they find Doris unconscious on the floor murmuring "3:13." A doctor is called, realizes that she is under the control of another mind and calls Richard Neal, psychological expert. Nikola sets her at another task, that of bringing a large sum of money to his house at a certain time. Blake learns the secret from Hall, who is also under Nikola's influence, and sets a trap for him. The trap works, the two minds clash and Neal's stronger will wins. The girl is awakened, Nikola is exposed and discredited and Doris restored to her family.