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The Crimson Wing Synopsis

Count Ludwig von Leun-Walram, a German army officer, meets Marguerite Clairon, an actress, while at a watering place on the border line of France. She falls in love with him and reveals her feelings. He rejects her in such a kindly way that she only loves him the more. Later, the count meets Marcelle de Lembach, daughter of a French general, whom he had known in childhood. He falls deeply in love with her. While he is still courting her, however, war breaks out between Germany and France and he is called back to his command. Marcelle is intensely patriotic and goes to the front with her father. She leads a troop of soldiers against a German scouting party when the officer is killed. She is captured by the count, who sends her safely back to the French lines. Paul D'Arblay, a spy, is one of the suitors of Mlle. Clairon, whom she hates. He swears that he will get her into his power. She joins the French army as a Red Cross nurse. On the battlefield she finds the count wounded and nurses him until he is almost recovered. She then arranges to send him back to his command. Arblay discovers this and threatens to denounce the count as a spy unless she yields to his wishes. She consents in order to save the count, promising to meet him at the home of her aunt nearby. He goes there that evening and finds her dead. She has kept her promise, but takes poison rather than submit to him. The count meets Marcelle after the war is over and they are betrothed.

According to the Code Synopsis

Basil Breckenridge, a broken old man on the verge of starvation, but concealing it because of his proud southern ancestry, is set upon by young ruffians on the street. The old man becomes infuriated and gives the young leader a shaking. His father, Ald. Connors, the city's political boss, happens along and attacks the old man, who strikes at him with his cane. The sword blade inside falls out and the police arrest him on the charge of assault with intent to kill. Col. Wright, attorney for the friendless, takes his case. It comes up before Judge Andrews. John Andrews, protégé of Boss Connors, has just been made assistant district attorney, and is there to prosecute. The aged defendant sees the scar on the judge's forehead and hears his name. He sees the two as rival captains in the Civil War, the Confederate picking up the wounded Union officer and taking him to his home. He recalls that when he was believed dead the Northerner took his young wife and baby home with him. Both are near him now, the first time he has seen either for decades. His wife sits behind him, his son is prosecuting him. The scar on the judge's forehead is the mark of their secret duel. A sword, awarded Capt. Knighton for gallantry and pawned by the aged defendant the day before is introduced at the trial but the defendant disclaims ownership. Recognition comes on the part of Judge and Mrs. Andrews and in chambers they plead with Connors and their son, but to no avail. The prisoner's head sinks to his breast when the jury returns. He does not rise when bidden. "Your honor," says Col. Wright, after a pause, "The defendant has taken his case to a higher court." Reverently, Judge Andrews and his wife place the historic sword in the still hands of the late defendant as they are the only persons in the crowded courtroom knowing to whom it rightfully belonged.