Beatrice Fairfax Episode 12: Curiosity

Summary

In this enthralling installment, domestic tranquility curdles into a maelstrom of suspicion for Mrs. Hanson, a newlywed vexed by the impenetrable secrecy surrounding her husband's nocturnal affairs. Her burgeoning curiosity, a force both perilous and illuminating, compels her to eavesdrop on a clandestine encounter between her husband, Henry, and a disreputable figure. The fragments of conversation she apprehends—a chilling confession of past incarceration and a daring prison escape—shatter her marital idyll, prompting a desperate plea to the sagacious Beatrice Fairfax. Beatrice, ever the arbiter of justice and truth, embarks on an investigative journey, unknowingly mirroring the parallel efforts of reporter Jimmy, who is already on the trail of a nefarious syndicate. The narrative pivots to the chilling inner sanctum of this criminal enterprise, where Henry, under the guise of an aspirant, infiltrates their ranks. He learns of their audacious plan: the maritime sabotage of the steamship 'Mandalay' via a strategically placed bomb. A seemingly innocuous 'strong woman wanted' sign, hung by the gang's disheveled housekeeper, becomes a crucial conduit for Jimmy, disguised as a Swedish maid, to infiltrate their lair. Meanwhile, the unyielding curiosity of Mrs. Hanson, coupled with Beatrice's resolute pursuit, leads them directly to the gang's rural hideout, where they become unwitting captives, plunged into a dank cellar. Jimmy's timely intervention, a daring rescue, sets the stage for a climactic confrontation. The genius of Henry's deep cover is revealed through a meticulously orchestrated 'cigar message'—a covert communication intercepted by his Secret Service operatives. This revelation transforms the escalating brawl into a coordinated raid, exposing Henry Hanson not as a felonious recruit, but as the master strategist, the Chief of the Secret Service, whose profound dedication to national security necessitates even the most profound marital deceptions. The episode culminates in a poignant affirmation of duty, underscoring the formidable sacrifices inherent in a life veiled in patriotic secrecy.

Synopsis

Henry Hanson and his wife are newlyweds and Mrs. Hanson is much perturbed because of her inability to learn anything about her husband's business. At the close of a pleasant evening together, he sends her to bed. No sooner has she retired than he admits a disreputable looking man. Mrs. Hanson's curiosity overcomes her and she comes downstairs and overhears a part of the conversation between her husband and his visitor. Among other things, she hears her husband tell the man: "You needn't fear me. I did two years in Atlanta prison and escaped." Mrs. Hanson returns to her room, and writes to Beatrice Fairfax. Beatrice receives the letter and decides to go to Mrs. Hanson. Jimmy, the reporter, promises to call later. The next scene shows the living room of the criminal gang. The man who called on Hanson at his home enters with him and introduces him to the chief as one who desires to join the gang. He is put through a rigid examination. After he has proved his worth, he is told that the big job the gang is pulling off is to place a bomb aboard an outgoing steamship, which the gang has been hired to destroy. An old hag is the housekeeper for the gang. As they are leaving the house, Doyle, the leader, complains of the littered condition of the place and suggests she hire a woman to help her with the work. She hangs out a sign, bearing the legend: "Strong Woman Wanted." The gang, with Hanson, is then shown riding through a country wood in a rough wagon. In the bottom of the wagon is a long box resembling a coffin. At a lonely spot, they meet an undertaker's cart. The box is placed in a long case, such as those in which coffins are shipped, and then into the wagon. As the gang completes its work, they see Beatrice and Mrs. Hanson, who had followed the latter's husband, peering through the bushes. They had followed Hanson to the scene. Hanson rushes to protect his wife, but is prevented by Doyle. The two women are forced to go to the house occupied by the gang, where they are bound and thrust into the cellar. Meantime, Jimmy, assigned by the city editor to investigate the actions of the gang, has located their headquarters. Seeing the sign for a strong woman wanted, he disguises himself as a Swedish girl and secures the place. He sees Beatrice and Mrs. Hanson brought in and thrust into the cellar. Jimmy releases them and prepares for the fight which is to follow. Hanson, upstairs, is seated by a window, smoking. Two men pass by the house. Hanson, nervously throws his cigar through the window to the sidewalk. One of the passing men picks it up and they hurry away. The gang hears voices in the cellar and attempts to descend. Jimmy holds them off with a revolver. Then Doyle throws a bundle of burning straw downstairs, smoking out the prisoners. As they come up the stairs a battle is fought, in which Hanson joins Jimmy and the two women. While the fight is in progress, the scene changes again and shows the man who picked up Hanson's cigar. He tears it apart and finds a message inside. It instructs him to wireless the steamship "Mandalay" to throw the coffin overboard, as it contains a powerful bomb, to be discharged in mid-sea. Having performed this service, the two men return to the house of the gang, just in time to take part in the fight and place the gangsters under arrest. Then, for the first time, Hanson is disclosed as the chief of the Secret Service. As he clasps his wife to his breast he explains: "There would be no secrets in the Secret Service if we told them to our wives."