- Bank president, George Fuller, uses his own fortune to cover the losses, when the bank is on the verge of collapse. Unknown to Fuller, however, Monroe Simmons, his vice-president, is undermining the bank for his own purposes. Then Tom Williams, who is in love with Fuller's daughter Ethel, asks his uncle, famous detective "Whispering Smith," to investigate the case. Smith successfully uncovers Simmons' conspiracy and apprehends him and his fellow conspirators, thus saving the bank.—Pamela Short
- There is a run on the Grand National Bank, of which George Fuller is president. Tom Williams, the cashier, reports there is $700,000, and $500,000 will stop the run. Fuller urges the directors to pay the depositors, but Simmons, the vice-president, insists on thirty days' notice. The crowd catches sight of the directors; a stone is thrown which strikes Simmons. Fuller's daughter, Ethel, takes Dr. Mercer to the home of Jerry, the night watchman, whose daughter is ill. The doctor recommends a change of climate, and Jerry decides to withdraw his $300 from the bank. Ethel and the doctor go to the bank, and she hears her father declare all his available cash, $75,000, will be paid to the depositors. Tom, who is in love with Ethel, prepares to escort her home. Ethel is accosted by Simmons, who says her father's action will mean his ruin, and if she will marry him he will undertake to see that the depositors are paid. Ethel refuses. Simmons runs a gambling establishment, while Dr. Mercer also carries on a secret traffic in forbidden drugs. One of his patients is "Hartford Red," formerly an expert locomotive engineer. The doctor calls at Fuller's home, and is followed by "Hartford," who looks in the window and sees Fuller placing in a wall safe the currency he has brought from the bank. Fuller is suddenly overcome with faintness, and Ethel and the doctor rush to his assistance. On his way out, the doctor is accosted by Hartford, who knows he has planned to rob the safe, and they agree to handle the job together. Ethel and Tom go to the theater and then to a cabaret, where they meet Tom's Uncle, "Whispering" Smith, a great railroad detective. The doctor and Hartford obtain the bills. Returning to the doctor's office, Hartford sinks into a drugged sleep, while the doctor goes to Simmons' gambling den, which is raided by the police, but the doctor and Simmons escape and return to the office. Simmons recognizes the unstamped bills, and after the doctor confesses he is a crook, sends Hartford to "plant" some of the bills in Tom's room. In the morning Fuller tells the directors he has the bank's funds and will return them if they will pay the depositors. Tom is sent for the money and finds the safe empty. Simmons demands that Fuller be held, and accuses Tom. The bills are found in his room and Tom is arrested. Ethel goes to Smith and tells him of Simmons, who has followed her. Simmons bribes a bellboy and learns of their conversation; he goes to the doctor's office and tells them they must make a getaway. They start out, and come upon an engine, force the crew to leave, and Hartford takes the throttle. Ethel and Smith pursue and finally overtake them. The doctor jumps, but Simmons and Hartford are captured and taken to the bank. Simmons confesses that he overheard Fuller's plan to have Jerry go to the basement and fire two shots to attract the clerks, while he removed the money, and knowing this would ruin his plans he shot Jerry, placing Tom's revolver by his side. Jerry revives and corroborates the story. Tom is freed, and Simmons arrested. Fuller and Ethel try to thank Smith, who says he needs no reward for helping that dear girl and his nephew.
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