Going Straight (1916)

John Remington, a respectable real estate man, goes down into the slums to negotiate the purchase of a warehouse for a client, where he meets gangster Jimmie Briggs, who recognizes Remington as his former partner-in-crime Higgins. Remington and his wife Grace used to work with Briggs in many house robberies, although for the last Remington and Briggs served time in prison. When they were released Remington found that Grace had borne their baby, and for the baby's sake he determined to live straight. Briggs blackmails Remington until he has no more money to give him. Then he demands that Remington aid him in one more big deal, or he will expose Grace for her complicity in by-gone crimes and have her sent to prison to do her "bit." Remington loves his wife, and for her sake, although without her knowledge, he agrees. Unaware of his danger, Grace has gone to spend the weekend at the home of a wealthy friend--the very place that Briggs has selected to burgle. In due course Remington and Briggs jimmy open the library window and enter. Remington tackles the safe in his old dexterous manner, and Briggs goes upstairs to see what loose jewelry he might "lift" from bureaus and the like. Briggs happens to enter the room where Grace is asleep in bed. She hears him and awakens. She attacks the intruder, and a desperate struggle takes place. Meanwhile, Remington has completed his job at the safe and follows Briggs upstairs. Seeing him struggling with his wife, he knocks Briggs to the floor unconscious. Of course, this has aroused the other guests, and as they throng into the hall Remington's escape has been cut off. Grace's quick wit saves the situation. She plants her husband's mask, gun and jimmy on the unconscious Briggs and tells the guests that her husband followed her to the place in time to save her from a desperate burglar, the injured man lying on the floor. Unfortunately, Briggs escapes in the excitement, and his desire to be revenged on who the man has double-crossed him leads to a smashing finish.