- John Haller, a banker, is head of the powerful organization of beggars in his city. His daughter, Meta, knows nothing of the double life her father is leading. She is loved by Paul Wilson, a young society man, but will not marry him until he has succeeded in a useful occupation. Paul secures work on the Evening Herald and is told that the position will be a steady one if he can unearth the system back of the begging graft. Paul starts to work and his articles begin to worry Haller and Brooks, the manager of the beggars. One night Paul sees a beggar enter a limousine. He hangs on to the back and is surprised when it drives up to Haller's house. Paul has the city editor of his paper make the announcement that the name of the mysterious beggar king will be revealed in the Sunday edition. This announcement causes alarm to Haller, and joy to Meta. Haller is visited by an old inventor, who asks him for funds to secure a patent for a typewriting device he has perfected. This device makes it possible for writings on one typewriter to be transmitted automatically to another machine any distance away. Haller has machines installed in his library and the office at beggar headquarters. Paul is forced to report that he has not yet succeeded in finding the beggar king. That night he again keeps watch at beggar headquarters, and sees the limousine waiting. He conceals himself in the car. A few moments later, the beggar enters the machine, and the chauffeur drives on before Paul is discovered. The beggar is removing his make-up, and Paul sees the man is really Meta's father. He jumps out of the moving car, and Haller goes home greatly agitated. The next morning he determines to save his daughter's disgrace at any cost. He sends Brooks a message to have three gunmen wait in his garden. He writes a note to Paul telling him that he will learn important information for his article by calling that night. Night comes. Haller tells Meta he is called away and for her to keep Paul there until he returns. In the garden he gives instructions to shoot Paul if he leaves before eleven o'clock. Paul calls at the house. Meta cajoles him into remaining, thinking that his article has already been turned in. At the newspaper office the editor grows frantic. They try to communicate with Paul by telephone, but Haller has removed the bells. So they send a boy with a message that the forms will be locked in thirty minutes. When Meta learns that Paul has not done his work yet, she tells him to write his article on her father's typewriter, and keeps the messenger waiting. Paul has a struggle between love and duty, and finally writes a note to the editor, resigning his position, as he has not discovered the name of the beggar king. The message is transmitted at beggar headquarters, and Haller sees what a mistake he has made. He rushes out to save Paul. Meta is indignant when she realizes that Paul has failed. She orders him out of the house, saying that she never wishes to see him again. The gunmen are waiting. As Paul leaves the house, they take careful aim. But just as they fire, Haller rushes up shouting a warning to Paul, and he receives the shot. Haller, fatally wounded, confesses to Meta the whole truth. She sees how she has misjudged Paul and he comforts her, telling her that the secret of her father's life will never be known.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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