Lieutenant Daring, R.N. And the Plans of the Mine Fields (1912)

• 73%
• 1912
• Thriller
• H.O. Martinek
• Percy Moran
• Thomas Worthing
• Estelle Hopkins

The Hawleys are entertaining upon their palatial houseboat moored on the Thames. Among the guests are Arsene Leblanc and Gabrielle, his wife. Leblanc masquerades as an artist, but is in reality a daring secret agent for a foreign government. Lieutenant Daring, of the Royal Navy, makes their acquaintance and arranges to pose for his portrait on the morrow. Leblanc and his wife visit Daring's apartments on the following day and the portrait is started. A messenger interrupts them and during Daring's absence, Leblanc searches the secretary and discovers the plans of the mine field. He hastily grasps his brush, loosens the draperies about Gabrielle's shoulders, and sketches a copy of the plans upon her back in sepia. Daring finishes his business with the messenger and upon his return to the room accidentally discovers the plot. Leblanc covers him with his revolver and with the aid of his wife binds the lieutenant securely to a chair and the couple flee. Daring's dog worries at the knots binding his master and liberates him. The lieutenant rushes to the Charing Cross Station just as the Continental Express bearing the fugitives starts for Folkestone harbor. Daring secures a motorcycle and races against time to overtake the express. The machine fails him. Undismayed he continues his chase upon horseback and finally secures a powerful touring car. The machine catches fire near the aviation grounds and Daring borrows an aeroplane. He reaches Folkstone harbor just as the cross channel steamer, bearing the fugitives, gets under way en route for Boulogne. With the aid of a motorboat Daring overtakes and boards the steamer. Arriving at Boulogne he follows the fugitives ashore, communicates with the authorities, and brings the spies to justice.