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Beating the Odds Synopsis

David Power, a political graft collector, is forced by the district attorney to leave New York and takes cabaret singer Hebe Norse with him. Power shows talent as a patent medicine salesman. He is hired by a real estate speculator and then by a great steel manufacturer, Gail Rogers. Power falls in love with Rogers' daughter Rosalie, and they are married. Rogers returns home with a new wife, Hebe Norse. When Rogers discovers Hebe's past, the two men sever ties. Rosalie finds out as well, and also breaks with Power. Rogers tries to ruin one of Power's companies, but does not succeed. Rosalie forgives Power; the couple and their daughter are reunited.

The Hero of Submarine D-2 Synopsis

Lieutenant Commander Colton, U.S.N., is in love with Caroline Austen, daughter of a prominent political power in Washington. Colton has a rival in James Archer, a journalist of prominence, unscrupulous and secretly in league with the Ruanian Ambassador, who is endeavoring to obtain for his country inside information as to the United States naval resources. Gilman Austen, Caroline's brother, receives an appointment to the Naval Academy. He is much in love with Ethel McMasters, daughter of a superintendent, and pays so much attention to her that his term marks in navigation are so low as to preclude his passing the semi-annual examination. He is told of this by Captain McMasters, and Colton, Caroline Austen and Ethel McMasters then get busy in Oilman's behalf, Caroline working with Colton, who is in love with her. and Ethel attempting to influence her father, but these two officers absolutely refuse to exercise any influence in Oilman's favor. Mr. Austen, Sr., then takes a hand in the game, but finds naval men a different proposition from politicians, and as a result Gilman is forced to leave the Academy. Mr. Austen uses his power and has Colton transferred to the command of a collier. Gilman Austen, however, grits his teeth and 'lists in the navy as an apprentice, and here we see him carried through all his training experiences. Colton being of an inventive turn of mind and realizing the weakness of the submarines is in the battery, invents a new battery. Archer hears of this and informs the Ruanian Ambassador, who offers the traitorous journalist almost any sum to secure these plans. Archer is prevented from securing them by Gilman Austen, who is now a full-fledged able seaman, serving under the name of Roger Brown. The Ambassador then determines upon a big coup. He directs Archer, who now is completely in his power, to have a Ruanian merchant ship lay a series of mines in the channel through which the warships must pass. Colton has been placed in command of the submarine flotilla, and Gilman Austen is on duty with the D-2. Through Caroline Austen, Colton learns of the plot, and as the ships are due to arrive that night, Colton takes command of the D-2, goes out and submerges his boat. Time is precious, and Colton realizes that he cannot take the D-2 through the mines, so he has himself shot out of a torpedo tube and swims through the mines, goes on board the merchant ship and blows up the mines just before the fleet comes in. Colton is badly wounded and is rescued by Gilman Austen and the submarine crew. For his work in this action, as well as his general reputation and good character, Gilman Austen is sent back to the Naval Academy. Colton marries Caroline.