The Third Degree (1913)

Howard Jefferies, Jr., and Robert Underwood are warm college chums, the latter, a boy of moderate circumstances has a penchant for art and devotes most of his spare time to the canvas, but Howard having a rich father is indifferent to the future and indulges in drink and other excesses. One night in a restaurant, a pretty waitress seeing that he is intoxicated, refuses to wait upon him; he insults her and is requested to leave. Next day he goes back to apologize and the two become friends and eventually get married. Howard's father, who for some years had been a widower, marries again, the lady being an old friend and patron of Bob Underwood. Eventually the two boys leave college; the young artist establishes a studio and quotes Mrs. Jefferies Sr.'s name as a patron to induce an advantage. The lady, however, withdraws her patronage and Underwood finds himself broke. On Howard informing his father of his marriage to a pretty waitress, the father turns him adrift and cuts off all allowance. Both Howard and Annie seek work, but find nothing but discouragement. Underwood not being able to borrow any more money from Howard, makes a last desperate appeal to the elder Mrs. Jefferies, informing her that he contemplates suicide. One night Howard much intoxicated enters Underwood's studio and lying down on the sofa falls asleep. Bob finds him and places a screen around the couch. Shortly after Mrs. Jefferies Sr. enters. Not seeing Howard, she has an interview with Underwood and refuses him any monetary assistance or further influence and leaves, declaring their association at an end. Robert then enters his sleeping room and placing a revolver at his head, fires. His bell boy raises an alarm, the police arrive and find young Howard leaning over the dead man's body. He is placed under arrest and on the spot Captain Clinton in the presence of others, puts him through the third degree. The terrible ordeal lasts for hours until the boy hypnotized and overcome with fright and need of rest, confesses that he had killed his friend. Howard is thrown into jail and his father unrelenting not only refuses aid, but instructs his own lawyer that the boy is a murderer and he must suffer, also that if the eminent attorney takes the case, that he must not look for any more of the Jefferies' patronage. Aside from the false confession wrung from the boy, the only clue to the mystery is the fact that a woman visited the studio on the night of the tragedy. Howard's young wife after much endeavor induces Mr. Brewster, the corporation lawyer, to take the case in defiance of Jefferies' orders. At the trial Mr. Brewster introduces Dr. Bernstein, an expert on hypnotism, who rigorously confounded the police captain who had extorted the false confession. Both Mrs. Howard Jefferies, Sr., and Mrs. Howard, Jr., were at the trial and under the terrible pressure of the scene Mrs. Jefferies, Sr., produced the letter that Underwood had written to her, threatening suicide. The letter was simply addressed to Mrs. Howard Jefferies and to save the elder lady's good name, Annie, the young wife of Howard, claimed that the letter was sent to her and that it was she who visited the studio on the eventful night. The case was dismissed and Attorney Brewster, by his good offices, brought Howard's father to the young folks' humble lodging and effected a reconciliation and happiness for all.