Plot

The scene takes place in Paris in March 1793 during the Reign of Terror. The Knight of Maison-Rouge, posing as Citizen Morand, is organizing the escape of Queen Marie-Antoinette. He is assisted in his undertaking by Dixmer, a master tanner who passes himself off as an ardent revolutionary and his wife Geneviève, who also happens to be the Knight's sister. While on mission with her brother, she is saved from arrest thanks to the intervention of Lieutenant Maurice Lindey. Geneviève, who is married without love to Dixmer, falls for the young man, who requites her love. A tunnel is dug between a house rented by Dixmer and the Tower of the Temple but the various attempts to rescue the queen attempts fail. Marie-Antoinette risks the guillotine. Lindey finds himself involved in the plot.—Guy Bellinger

During the French revolution, which changed the government of France from a monarch to a republic, the lowest citizens of Paris seized the reins of government and caused the imprisonment of Queen Marie Antoinette. The Chevalier de Maison Rouge visits his brother-in-law Dixmer, who is supposed to be strong for the revolution, and enlists his help in a desperate attempt to free the Queen. A young officer of the revolutionists is persuaded by the wife of Dixmer to allow the Queen to take a little exercise in the courtyard of the prison. On one of these walks she is presented with some flowers, one of which contains a note telling of the plans of the conspirators. This note is found by one of the guards and the attempt to rescue her is a failure. Not to be disappointed, the Chevalier makes a second attempt. The authorities fearing this have the Queen moved to another prison. Dixmer and the Chevalier by a ruse overpower the warden, and Dixmer's wife takes the place of the Queen in the cell. The plot seems to be going successfully when it is spoiled by the arrival of the Queen's former guards. To prevent any further attempts the revolutionary tribunal order the execution of the Queen. This is carried out although the Chevalier and Dixmer make another attempt to rescue her which results in their death.—Moving Picture World synopsis