The Devil's Eye
Directed by Harry PielAmong the guests at the Countess Rita's Masquerade Ball are her lover, Count Hugo, and the Barrys, two brothers, whose fame as diamond dealers has penetrated to every quarter or the globe. They prevail upon the Countess to show them her remarkable diamond, "The Devil's Eye," which is, without doubt, the largest uncut diamond extant. She sends her lady companion to the strong room to fetch it, and in the meantime the party break up and mingle with the merry throng. Suddenly a servant appears to announce the fact that the door of the strong room is closed and the lady companion is a prisoner. When the strong room is opened again the lady is found to be dead, and "The Devil's Eye" has disappeared. The police are summoned, and the servant accuses Count Hugo whom he observed near the safe. Ere the police can find him, the Countess has warned him of his danger, and promising to return when he has established his innocence, he starts towards the border, knowing that once it is crossed he is safe from the bloodhounds of the law. The actions of the Countess and Hugo, who, in the excitement of the moment, have acted very foolishly, intensify the police's suspicion, and they follow hotly on his trail. It is impossible to describe in a brief synopsis, the manner in which the Count reaches the border. With consummate skill the producer of this drama has made full use of the talent and unparalleled daring of an actor, who is never more happy than when flaunting death in the face. Three times three does he risk his life jumping from high bridges, climbing perilous heights, riding on horseback down steep precipices, and, in fact, defying death in every possible form. The chase is one succession of thrills and daredevil feat, until at last the border is reached. The Count's next step is to go to Amsterdam, which, being the diamond market of the world, is the place in which the thieves will seek to dispose of their booty. After a trying time, in which he finds himself staring death in the face time out of number, he is surprised to find that the Barry brothers stole the diamond, and have it in their possession. In order to prove his case against them he taps the telephone wires and records all their telephone conversations on the Dictaphone, thus obtaining valuable evidence. He then communicates with the Countess, and she avails herself of an invitation to spend a week end at the Barrys' house, and is thus enabled to smuggle Hugo into their house, where he learns that the diamond is hidden in a basket which is suspended on a wire stretched from one tall chimney to another in the factory where the Barrys are conducting an illegal process for improving the luster of diamonds. The Count makes a bold bid to obtain the diamond. He climbs out along the wire, until he reaches the basket in which it is hidden. His dangers are manifold, for the basket is suspended at a great height, and while he is laboriously working his way towards it, a storm arises. In order to prevent the Barrys interfering with Hugo, whilst performing this dangerous operation, Countess Rita steals up into their secret laboratory, and handcuffs one of the brothers. Finding that the game is played, he makes his way to a switch, which has been prepared to destroy the factory in the event of such a discovery taking place. A few moments later a terrific explosion rends the air, and two immense chimneys totter to the ground, and the factory is blown to atoms. This brings the Count hurtling from his perilous perch to the ground, but, fortunately, his fall is broken, and his life saved. Hugo has now established his innocence, recovered "The Devil's Eye," and brought the thieves to justice. No obstacle remains between him and the Countess, who welcomes him to the kingdom of love with smiles of joy and happiness.
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