The Black Snake (1913)

Zadija, a dancer, is known as "The Black Snake" because of the nature of her performances, and Blanche D'Estree, an equestrian, both famous in the Russian capital. Ivan Romanoff, a scion of a good family, is known to both, Blanche in particular, however, to whom he has paid close attention which has aroused the jealousy of Zadija. Romanoff has concealed his real identity, and is known as Koroff. But Abdullah, Zadija's Arab servant, is a hidden witness of an interview which he has with a military officer of importance, and informs Zadija of the real identity of the so-called Koroff. "The Black Snake" is greatly alarmed at the news, for she at once realizes that the man she has hoped to make her lover is the agent of the Government, and the possessor of plans of incalculable value to a secret society of which she is a member, and the recovery of which is her secret mission in the capital. By means of a hole in the dressing-room wall Zadija is enabled to be an unseen witness of an affectionate meeting between Blanche and Romanoff. The sight inflames her anger, and she jumps at the opportunity which a letter from her cousin Olaf, a leading member of the secret society, offers, both to serve the latter and to satisfy her desire for personal vengeance. She contrives to enter Blanche's dressing-room, in which Romanoff is waiting while the girl goes through her performance in the ring, and to slip into a drawer the letter from Olaf. Pretending she has seen Blanche place the letter there, she produces it and hands it to Romanoff. He is stunned at the thought that Blanche is his secret enemy, and agrees to Zadija's suggestion that he shall leave the city with her for a safe place. They set out before Blanche has finished her performance, but "The Black Snake" is unaware that D'Olton, an attache of the Governor, has seen their departure. Olaf, cousin of Zadija, has received "The Black Snake's" message that she is bringing Romanoff to the house, the headquarters of the society from which she is supposed to be rescuing him. Olaf greets them in the disguise of a butler. Meanwhile, on the strength of information left by Romanoff, orders are given for the arrest of Blanche for treason, and D'Olton and a number of soldiers go to the theater to seize her. She is just about to enter the ring, and succeeds in persuading the officer to allow her to go through her performance. This includes a leap from a plank near the roof of the building on to the back of a horse galloping below. Blanche jumps upwards instead, and, succeeding in catching hold of a window frame in the tower, breaks the glass and manages to get through to the roof. Her plucky dash for liberty is, however, ineffectual; the building is surrounded, and she is seized on the roof. Blanche is committed to prison, but her demeanor before the Governor impresses D'Olton, who, remembering the departure of Romanoff and Zadija, determines to get on their track. Romanoff, already grateful to Zadija for his supposed rescue from the grip of the secret society, and heartbroken at what he believes the treachery of Blanche, asks Zadija to be his wife. The proposal and "The Black Snake's" ready acceptance are overheard by Olaf, who himself loves his cousin, and he determines on the removal of his rival. In the meantime. D'Olton, the attache, sets out for the house which shelters "The Black Snake" and her victim. Before he reaches his destination he is attacked by a savage pack of wolves, which surround the sleigh and force him to cut the traces and make a dash for safety on the horse's back. Still he cannot outpace the enemy, and at last he is pulled to the ground, and only rescued from their fangs by the timely intervention of a number of peasants. The nearest house is that of "The Black Snake," and thither D'Olton, half unconscious, is carried by the villagers. Zadija recognizes him and scents danger. To reassure her D'Olton, who had ascertained by means of a small mirror in his cap that she is listening behind the curtain at the door to his conversation with Romanoff, informs the latter that Blanche has died in prison. When night comes, D'Olton, peering through the window sees Romanoff embracing "The Black Snake," and realizes how things stand. He enters, and Olaf, in the character of a butler, shows him to his room. D'Olton, taking Olaf by surprise; overpowers and gags him, and taking his clothes and wig, carefully disguises himself to resemble the pseudo butler. D'Olton telegraphs the Governor and the house is surrounded by troops. D'Olton meets the Governor and Blanche in the garden, and gives certain instructions to the latter. As "The Black Snake" is dressing she is horrified to observe in her mirror a reflection of the face of Blanche, whom she thinks dead. As Blanche mores forward from the curtains, the menacing figure in the mirror grows plainer, and at last, in a paroxysm of terror, Zadija breaks the mirror to fragments. At the same moment Blanche steps back behind the curtains. Zadija, thinking it has all been an illusion, but still alarmed, calls for Olaf. D'Olton enters in his disguise, and when Zadija goes to him in alarm to tell of the fright she has had, he claps handcuffs on her wrists. A moment later Romanoff enters. When he sees Blanche, whom he thinks dead, be cannot control his surprise, and when D'Olton tells his story, and Romanoff learns that Blanche has been falsely accused, and that "The Black Snake" has been his real enemy, he can hardly find words to express his contrition. Blanche readily forgives him, and the lovers are re-united, free forever from the malevolence of "The Black Snake."