Patria (1917)

Episode 4: "Double Crossed" Baron Huroki, a secret agent plotting with De Lima against the United States and having failed in his attempt to steal the $100,000,000 Preparedness Fund founded by Patria Channing's forefathers, next directs his attentions to Patria herself. By destroying her he hopes to obtain control of the millions and the immense munitions plant she has inherited. He learns that Elaine, a popular dancer appearing in the "Midnight Frolic," is the exact double of Patria, and he conceived the idea of doing away with the latter and substituting Elaine in her place. Through Fanny Adair, a widow, intimate with Patria and who has lost all her money but still hangs on to the fringe of the society in which she once shone, Elaine is coached for her part. So complete is their likeness that when Elaine's manager sees Patria with Capt. Parr he attacks him in a jealous rage and tries to carry her off thinking it is Elaine. Parr follows him down the back stairs and after a fight overcomes him with Patria's help. Patria has planned to return to Newport with Fanny Adair and Capt. Parr on the Fall River Line boat. Huroki sends Elaine aboard disguised as an invalid in charge of a nurse. She has a stateroom next to Patria's and Fanny Adair. In the meanwhile Capt. Parr has been arrested on a charge of assault on the evening before, inspired by Huroki, and misses the boat. That night when Patria is on deck she is thrown overboard by Huroki's hirelings. Elaine slips into Patria's stateroom where Fanny, trembling with fear, awaits her, and the nurse gives the alarm that her charge has escaped and jumped overboard. Will Patria perish?