Who Killed Joe Merrion? (1915)

James, a scapegrace son of Sir Phillip Randall, Judge of the King's bench, is banished from home by his father, on account of the boy's persistent follies. Lady Randall is greatly attached to her son, and dies of a broken heart. On her deathbed she makes the Judge swear that should his son appeal to him for help he will not refuse. Vivienne Stevens, ward of the Randalls, is secretly in love with the exiled son and rejects William Rufford, the county squire and her father's choice for her suitor. One year later, Joe Merrion, a bookmaker, is found dead in a railway carriage, and Rufford, who was last seen with the dead man. accused of killing him. He is placed on trial before Judge Randall, who cannot believe the man guilty, but on circumstantial evidence. Rufford is sentenced to life imprisonment. The only real clue is held by Sir Randall: a small bit of cardboard which was found in the victim's hand, evidently broken from a photograph in a struggle. Meanwhile James Randall, the son, continues his fast life at the races, and finally, dead broke, writes his father for help. The Judge, in conformity with his promise to his dead wife, does so, and to his horror, finds among his son's pawned effects, a photograph of his wife, with the corner torn. The little piece fits it exactly and the Judge is stunned by the realization that his own son is a murderer. Rufford, that same day escapes, and the Judge writes a confession to the prison authorities. He sends for Jimmie and the boy confesses the whole truth his story revealing that the killing was an accident. The Judge then allows him to escape but Rufford, who blames the Judge for his imprisonment, enters his home and stabs him just as Vivienne enters. Finding the letter the Judge had written. Rufford is stricken with remorse, and to atone, burns the letter and gives himself up to the law. Jimmie returns, and he and Vivienne go away to start life anew as man and wife.