Ashes (1922)

A young man in financial difficulties persuades his wife to help him blackmail a supposedly wealthy man. While waiting she reads a magazine story telling how Mr. and Mrs. Crafton - set out to extort money from DeCourcey. Mr. Crafton leaving the room, Mrs. Crafton saying she is in financial difficulties, tries to borrow money. DeCourcey refuses. Mrs. Crafton then makes a scene, her husband enters, she accuses DeCourcey of seeking to attack her. DeCourcey, who has remained smoking, shows the ashes remaining on his cigar, to the hotel detective, as evidence that there has been no struggle. The detective believes his accusation of blackmail against the pair and they are arrested. After reading the story the young wife leaves a note saying she has gone back to her home in the country. The intended victim arrives and turns out to be a detective. After reading the note, he takes the penitent young husband to the railroad station and sends him back to his wife.