- Peter Whitten was the boldest buccaneer of his time, which was early in the 19th century. His piratical deeds and utter lawlessness broke his father's heart and left him an old man before his time. But the pain that Peter's pursuits caused old Ezra Whitten, a wealthy mariner, was lessened by the sterling character of his younger son, Gabriel, and seeing that there was no hope of reforming. Peter, the old gentleman centered all his love and hope in Gabriel. Gabriel is in love with Joan Moore, the beautiful daughter of the keeper of Ye Lion Inne, when the story opens. In conversation with her lover one day, Joan confesses that her father is in dire financial difficulties. Gabriel suggests a visit to his father. Ezra Whitten willingly supplies the money Rufus needs and Moore, in turn, gives a note promising to return the money in ninety days. A month later Whitten, the elder, dies. Peter learns of his father's death and straightway goes to the house to collect the Whitten fortune. By the terms of his will Whitten cuts off his son Peter and leaves Gabriel his entire fortune, consisting of some uncollected accounts and a chest of gold, buried on a distant island. To prove his fairness, Gabriel agrees to divide the buried treasure if Peter will help him locate it. Peter consents and together the brothers set out as directed in a crude map left by their father. They find the treasure with little difficulty, but on the return to the boat Gabriel is caught in a quicksand and though he pleads for help, Peter leaves him to his fate. Returning to the village with the chest of gold and jewels, Peter announces that Gabriel was lost in the quicksands, despite his efforts to save him, Joan is broken-hearted when she hears the news and Peter, visiting at the Inne later on, asks her to marry him, since his younger brother is gone. Joan refuses without much regard for Peter's feelings. The latter is enraged and leaves the Inne. He returns after a brief interval with Moore's note, which is long past due. Peter demands payment of the note. Moore begs for time and Peter grants a day of grace. The next night, despite a fearful electrical storm, Peter journeys to the Inne for his money. Moore pays the debt and Peter is about to leave, when Joan invites him to pass the night at the tavern and thus avoid the terrible storm. Peter accepts and Joan shows him to his room above the bar. When Peter is safely in the room, Joan turns the key from the hall and locks him in. Peter prepares to retire, but does not feel at ease. He glances at the bed and is startled. He smiles and rubs his eyes, looks again and fear overpowers him, for he recognizes the head on the pillow as Gabriel. Peter tries to flee, but the door to the hall is locked. The window is barred. He masters his courage and even smiles. Peter tries to convince himself that it is all a hoax. He touches the white arm protruding from the bed, but finds it alive and cold. He falls in a heap on the floor and alternately begs and swears and prays. He finds a trap door in the floor, but as he opens it the white figure in the bed assumes a sitting posture and points an accusing finger, which touches and paralyzes every nerve in Peter's body. To shut out the fearful sight, he covers his eyes with his hand. He loses his balance and falls headlong to the floor of the tavern below, greatly surprising Moore, who is talking with his daughter. Despite the fall Peter scrambles to his feet and flees out into the storm. The figure in white is now descending the stairs that lead to the bar. Moore is fearful, but Joan calms him with the statement: "It is Gabriel. He is not dead." Gabriel removes the white sheet that covers his street apparel and quickly explains to Moore how he was saved from the quicksands by passing fishermen, how he told Joan when he reached the Inne and how Joan hit upon the idea of awakening Peter's conscience. Had they followed Peter they would have seen him in the storeroom of his home guarding the treasure from an imaginary apparition. Too, they would have seen him upset a box that allowed the cases stored high against the walls to tumble upon him. They might have saved his life, but they did not find him till the next day.—Moving Picture World synopsis
It looks like we don't have any synopsis for this title yet. Be the first to contribute.
Learn moreContribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content