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In the Hands of the Law Synopsis

The Inevitable Synopsis

Donald Grey is accused by his partner of dishonesty. The shock of the accusation kills him, and as his innocence cannot be proven, his daughter takes it upon herself to avenge the insult. Meeting Alan Burnham, only son of the partner, she determines to wreck his career. She succeeds in making him give up everything else for her, and in doing so becomes a notorious siren known as "The Dragonfly." Alan's father begs him to leave the woman. The two quarrel, and in a moment of passion, Alan strikes his father down. At the same time Burr, an employee, who is really guilty of the crime for which Grey suffered, has entered the house for dishonest purposes, and concealed, he sees the quarrel. When Alan leaves he comes out and is seen by the elder Burnham, who tries to restrain him. Burr kills Burnham. Alan goes meanwhile to Florence and tells her of the quarrel. She is broken-hearted at this, and tells Alan to leave her, although she loves him. This leaves Alan in despair, and he returns to tell his father that he was right in condemning the girl. He finds him dead, and thinks he has killed him. While Alan has been away, Burr has come to Florence's apartment to beg her to go away with him. She gets him drunk, and in this state he confesses that he has killed old Burnham, and that he is also guilty of the crime of which Florence's father was accused. At this point Alan returns. She quickly hides Burr in another room and admits Alan. He tells her he has killed bis father, and denounces her as the real cause of the tragedy. She tells him she loves him. He is about to believe her, when he discovers Burr. With a sneer he accuses her of being Burr's lover. Florence tells him the truth of the murder, and explains she is holding Burr for the police. Thus cleared of the murder, and realizing Florence's love for him. he repents of his attitude toward her, and takes her in his arms.