The Secret Seven (1914)

London, the refuge of political and criminal outcasts of all countries, adds yet another to its list of secret societies. This society, known as The Mystic Seven, the members of which have successfully carried out several daring raids, has for some considerable time been a menace to public safety. The outcome of one notable robbery, the theft of Lady Seymour's valuable necklace, is that the famous detective, Paul Sleuth, is called upon to endeavor to put an end to the infamous exploits of this gang. The loss of the necklace being discovered. Sleuth is immediately sent for and introduced as an old friend of Lord Seymour. The robbery was perpetrated by one of the Seven, who contrived by a clever ruse to be included in the list of guests invited to join the house party. Not satisfied with one haul, he endeavors to accomplish another, but is frustrated by Sleuth, who obtains possession of the plunder by adopting the disguise of an outside accomplice, whom he has overcome. Collecting the servants, Sleuth strives to arrest the thief, who escapes through his bedroom window. An exciting chase ensues, culminating in the successful flight of the latter. By similar means a rich heiress, the guest of the Duke of Axminster, is kidnapped, being carried off in a balloon, and held for ransom. In this case also Sleuth's services are requisitioned, and while tracing the footprints he encounters the local postman, who tells the detective that, when emptying the pillar box the previous night, he saw a balloon ascend from the grounds at the back of the house and travel in a westerly direction. Determined to follow up this clue, Sleuth charters an aeroplane and scours the surrounding country in his search. Eventually he discovers the balloon, and goes in pursuit. On overtaking it, he hovers above the balloon, and finally leaps on to the envelope, leaving the aeroplane to descend pilotless, clinging to the net he climbs down into the basket, where finds the girl a captive of one of the gang. A fierce fight ensues in which the detective is overcome and forced out of the basket. Luckily he falls into a river, and except for the shock. Sleuth is little the worse for his hairbreadth escape. Returning to his clients, he tells of his failure and they decide to send the ransom, but devise at the same time a means whereby the haunts of the gang may be located. A cinema camera is fitted in one of the head-lamps and the car driven to the appointed spot, when the gang blindfold the driver and take over control. The girl is brought back safely, the film developed, and thus the headquarters of the society discovered. Accompanied by a force of plain clothes men, Sleuth has the house surrounded, but a determined resistance is offered. Eventually after a fierce struggle the great detective has the satisfaction of seeing six of the gang in custody, while the leader lies at his feet lifeless, having jumped from the roof, preferring death to the fate which now awaits his late companions of the Mystic Seven.