The Secret of the Box Car (1916)

• 82%
• 1916
• Thriller
• J. Gunnis Davis
• Helen Gibson
• George A. Williams
• Scott Pembroke

Escaping after an early morning bank robbery, Gentleman Joe and his pal succeed in boarding a freight train headed toward Lone Point. Fearing rightly that a warning has been sent down the line, they secrete their loot in a box car, and, after noting its number, alight and seek cover until after the pursuit has cooled. Later, when they plan to resume their journey, they are seen by the telegrapher, but a struggle follows in which they overcome him. Boarding an unguarded automobile, they speed down the track towards Lone Point. The telegrapher, recovering, sends a warning ahead to Helen. The car, No. 11165, had been placed on a siding at Lone Point but is now being taken up by the freight engine. Helen, giving chase, succeeds in boarding the caboose and warning the train crew. Meanwhile, the crooks, abandoning their auto by the roadside, have boarded car No. 11165, and are about to get away with their loot when the train crew, headed by Helen, comes upon them. There is a struggle, but Gentleman Joe escapes and runs across the tops of the cars carrying the loot. The mail train is roaring along on the adjoining track as Helen comes upon Gentleman Joe from behind and deals him a blow that momentarily stuns him. Helen grabs the bag of loot and runs along the flat car seeking to attract the attention of the mail train crew. Joe gets to his feet and pursues her, but in the nick of time the mail crew put out the "arm'' which seizes the mail bags and Helen swings to safety.