The Girl of the Night (1915)

As a child, Nance is rescued from drunken, abusive parents by Jerry, a kind-hearted thief. Although she grows to womanhood in the company of crooks, she remains virtuous. Famous attorney Arthur Langham has obtained enough evidence against the Riley Gang,, of which Jerry is a member, to send them all to the penitentiary. Langham's close attention to his profession causes him to neglect his wife Enid, who drifts into a flirtation with his best friend, Clyde Herndon. About this time, Jerry is arrested on a burglary charge and the gang fear that at Jerry's trial, Langham will produce the evidence he has accumulated. Nance visits Jerry in jail and he induces her to go to Langham's house to steal the evidence. Nance watches outside the Langham home and, seeing the Langhams depart in their limousine for the opera, believes the time has come to secure the papers. She manages to steal them and is about to depart as she came, through the library window, when the lights are suddenly turned on and she is confronted by Langham. He compels her to return the documents and then, becoming interested in her, asks for her history. She tells him her sad story, which arouses his sympathy. He makes a compact with her, agreeing to use his influence in Jerry's behalf if she and Jerry will lead better lives. The day of the trial approaches and the gang, becoming more fearful, plot to put Langham out of the way. Nance overhears their plans to wait for him on a lonely road during a contemplated auto trip. His wife and friend also decide to take advantage of this trip and arrange an elopement. Nance determines to warn Langham by placing a note on his desk, and she steals into his house. Hearing a noise, she hides, and is surprised to see Langham's wife about to depart with another man. Herndon sends the wife back for her jewels. As Mrs. Langham leaves the room, Nance confronts Herndon and accuses him of his perfidy in betraying his friend. Langham reads of Jerry's escape from jail and hastily changes his plans and returns home unexpectedly. Mrs. Langham on re-entering the library, questions Nance as to how she came there; she hears her husband's voice giving orders to a servant. She and Herndon are dumbfounded. Nance grasps the situation and takes the jewels from the wife's hands. She motions them to silence as Langham enters the room. He is surprised to see Nance and Herndon there so late at night, but before he can question his wife, Nance steps forward and tells him a plausible story which brands her as a thief, but clears Enid and Herndon. Langham is about to give Nance up to justice when his wife intercedes for her. He yields to her entreaties and leaves her alone with Nance. The wife begs Nance to accept recompense for her great service, but Nance at first refuses. When the wife urges her to take the money to start a new life, she consents, and upon her return home, she learns of Jerry's escape and that he is in waiting to see her. She goes to his hiding place, shows him the money, and tells him she earned it honestly and that they will use it for a new start on the straight road. Jerry acquiesces, and for the first time tells Nance of his love for her.