An Accidental Clue
Directed by Albert W. Hale1913 11mShort
Jim Stevens was known as the king of the cracksman. He was shrewd and courageous, and was held by the police in great respect. For years his little band baffled the cleverest detectives, but finally "Slinky Jim," a member of the gang was captured. News was brought to Stevens of the arrest and he arrived on the scene just as Detective Davis and his captive were waiting (or the patrol wagon. "Slinky Jim" was freed, but at the expense of Davis' life. When help arrived the detective was unconscious and he was unable to tell who had shot him. Mrs. Davis, in recognition of her late husband's services, was appointed a police matron. The years passed, and the widow, by virtue of many clever bits of detective work, was appointed a detective, and she searched incessantly for her husband's slayer. No clue was obtained until "Slinky Jim" was once more gathered in the police net and revealed the fact that Stevens was the man who fired the fatal shot. "No one has seen him in five years," the prisoner declared, "He is a rich man now, and can afford to live straight." The woman detective searched anew, but without success, until one day fate aided her and she discovered that a certain wealthy and respected man was in reality Stevens, the once famous cracksman. By a clever ruse, she secured a position in his household as maid, and watched Stevens and his wife constantly. The former outlaw yearned for the old life, and a former comrade induced him to take one more tilt with fate. The widow overheard their plans, but was discovered, tied and left in a locked room. The cracksmen left for their rendezvous, but the woman by a supreme effort, struggled to a nearby candle, burned the cords which bound her hands, and escaped from the room in time to summon the police and capture the outlaws red-handed. Stevens paid the penalty of his crime, for his accomplice positively identified him as the man who killed Sergeant Davis.
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