The Flaming Diagram - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Erickson, an inventor of high explosives, manufactures a compound for the U.S. Government, but will not sell the secret of its ingredients, as he wishes his family (which consists of a son and daughter) to still benefit by his formula in ...See moreErickson, an inventor of high explosives, manufactures a compound for the U.S. Government, but will not sell the secret of its ingredients, as he wishes his family (which consists of a son and daughter) to still benefit by his formula in case of bis death. The daughter, Lillian, is in love with one of the clerks in the War Department, who is in reality a foreign spy. Another country tries to buy the explosive, but Erickson's patriotism will not permit him to sell it. To prevent the secret from perishing with him at his death, he starts to write out the formula, but Lillian's sweetheart, Brack, watches what he is writing. This is seen by young Erickson, who orders Brack from the house. Lillian protests until told what he had done when she, too, denounces her lover. The inventor, to safeguard himself and family in case of his death, writes out the formula in a way that only his children will be able to read it. It is placed in an envelope and sent to the War Department with the instruction that it is only opened in case of his death and in presence of his family. Brack learns of this and at the instigation of his chief hires two cracksmen to open the safe and secure the formula. The inventor dies suddenly, and the cracksmen are interrupted in their work by a messenger sent to secure the formula. They capture the messenger and steal the envelope. Brack takes it to his superior and when the latter opens it it is found to contain nothing but a diagram of some bottles and a blank sheet of paper, with the instruction on the envelope that the key is in the desk drawer. Young Erlckson, judging that they will return for the keys, lies in wait for them. He captures them just as they climb in the window. On obtaining the envelope Eriekson, Jr., is as much mystified as they were for the key (which is a real metal one) has a tag on which is written "burn diagram." While he and his sister are puzzling over this, his cigarette accidentally lights the blank sheet of paper. It burns in a peculiar manner and leaves an intricate design which, when fitted over the diagram of bottles, gives them the formula. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less