The Red Mask
Directed by Charles GiblynRed Mask, a daring bandit, has cast terror in the region of Bald Eagle, Ariz. Always appearing with a red mask upon his face, and vanishing as mysteriously as if the earth had swallowed him, Red Mask was the cause of much worriment to Sheriff Burns, who was completely baffled. The public feeling against the sheriff for his failure to capture the bandit was growing more and more intense, when the government decided to take a hand, owing to Red Mask's boldness in interfering with mail trains. John Ruskin, of the United States Secret Service, was dispatched to Bald Eagle to assist Sheriff Burns, but before presenting his letter of introduction he decided to do a little quiet work. He trailed Red Mask, and in a thrilling battle the detective was killed. The bandit searched the dead man's pockets, and, finding the letter, he boldly presented himself to the sheriff. Molly Burns was a winsome lass, and the bandit fell in love with her. The body of the strange man was found, and the excited populace made a demonstration against the sheriff, as it was evident that this was more of the work of Red Mask. Red Mask, moved by his love for Molly, decided to reform, and built beautiful air castles of the future. His dreams were rudely interrupted by the receipt of a telegram addressed to John Ryskin, the man he was impersonating, from the dead man's mother, saying that she was coming to join him. Red Mask knows that his game is up, and determines to make one more haul before quitting his evil life. The paymaster of the Red Eagle smelters is expected with the monthly payroll, and he successfully holds him up. He is seen by the sheriff, however, and a desperate battle takes place. Red Mask, mortally wounded, gets the drop on the sheriff, but his heart fails him as he thinks of Molly, and he spares his pursuer. Before passing away, the bandit tells the sheriff why he did not shoot, and reveals the hiding place of the loot.
