The Mysteries of Myra (1916)

Episode 1: "The Road to Yesterday" John Maynard, during his life, belonged to an organization known as "The Black Order." By its occult powers this company holds complete sway over its members, and exerts a strange and compelling influence over all who chance to come within its range. It is the typification of mystery and the Order's highest prelate, The Grand Master, whose face the members seldom see, is the personification of invisible powers put to wicked ends. Maynard's last message to the Order contained a clause that in case his three daughters died before their eighteenth birthdays, his fortune should go to the Black Order. The two elder daughters have both committed suicide at the appointed time by unusual methods of self-destruction and Mrs. Maynard, who is cognizant of the strange associations formed by her deceased husband, suspects occult influences. Consequently, she is deeply troubled as her youngest and favorite daughter approaches her fateful birthday. Arthur Varney, who is a constant visitor at the Maynard home, is racked by conflicting emotions. While he loves Myra with all his heart, as a member of the Black Order he is bound to assist in bringing about her destruction. His final appeal to the Grand Master on Myra's behalf is scorned. Her death is inevitable. Arrayed against the Black Order is Dr. Payson Alden, a prominent young physician, who has given up medicine to become a noted investigator of spirit phenomena. He awakes one night from a troubled sleep and finds mysteriously pinned on his breast a note warning him to cease his investigations of the occult under the penalty of death. He also discovers that his notes on the Maynard case have been stolen. Aroused by the incident, he immediately communicates with Mrs. Maynard and arranges to call. The atmosphere of the Maynard household is tense with the dread expectation that an unseen something is about to happen. Myra has been mysteriously walking in her sleep, as did her two elder sisters before their deaths. This strange habit is the result of the concentrated mental influences exerted by the members of the Black Order under Varney over the susceptible young girl. At the breakfast table, Myra unconsciously assumes the pose which is the sign of the Black Order. Mrs. Maynard, recalling this in connection with her husband, is beside herself with fear and anxiety. Dr. Alden calls. Myra's curiosity has been aroused by her mother's trepidation upon seeing her unwittingly make the wicked sign and she asks Dr. Alden to explain the meaning. Just as he, in turn, assumes the pose, Mrs. Maynard comes into the room and at once suspects Alden of connections with the Black Order. With hysterical fear, she orders him from the house. Explanations are unavailing and he reluctantly departs. Greatly attracted by Myra, however, he resolves to carry on his investigations in spite of Mrs. Maynard's objections. The day before the girl's birthday, he secretly enters the house and arranges a system by which he may learn whether or not Myra walks in her sleep and whither her wanderings lead her. In the afternoon of the fateful day, he gains entrance to the Maynard house through a clever ruse and discovers the path of her sleepwalking the night before and hides, awaiting further developments. At exactly twelve o'clock that night, the Black Order is in full session, extending by their mental power complete sway over the actions of the unfortunate girl. At the same time, still in a troubled sleep, Myra rises from her bed and slowly descends the broad stairway. Hesitatingly she crosses the room, completely under the unseen influence, and touching a secret panel, descends into a crypt known only to her dead father. Silently Alden follows. By the flickering candlelight, she reads the dust covered parchment and unwillingly picks up a nearby dagger. Struggling with her inward emotion, she raises it full above her head and with a final effort starts its downward plunge. Like a flash, Alden grasps her wrist and saves her from horrible death. He carries the unconscious form to the living room above, where he finds Mrs. Maynard, who has been unable to sleep. Again the girl drifts off into the hypnotic state and her fingers begin to twitch convulsively. Knowing the sign, Dr. Alden places a pencil at her fingers and on the back of a book Myra begins to trace a message from the other world. She awakes, however, before it is completed.