Flame of the Desert (1919)

At a London ball, Lady Isabel Channing meets Sheik Essad and is immediately attracted to him. However, she thinks he is an Egyptian and is beneath her. In reality, Essad is a British army officer whom the Bedouin think is one of their own people. Isabel's brother Charles, who has difficulties with gambling, is given a secretarial post in Cairo. Isabel accompanies him. Aboul Bey, the leader of a gang, plans a rebellion, whereby he will take the city. Bey succeeds in getting Charles under his spell, and Charles gives Bey decoded messages sent from England. Meanwhile, Isabel continues to run into Essad and her love deepens for him. When Charles confesses to his sister what he did, Isabel rides to Aboul's tent. Aboul demands the code from Isabel, and she is seized by the rebels. Aboul attempts to have his way with Isabel. In order to save his sister, Charles tells Aboul that the British government knows of the planned rebellion. Essad arrives just as Isabel saves her brother and stabs Aboul in self-defense. She then learns that Essad is one of her own countrymen, and their love is complete.