The Life of Rufus Dawes

The story opens in a room in the old Spaniard's Inn at Hempstead Heath, England. Sir Richard Devine has a meeting with Crofton, a man-about-town, who has also been known under the name of Rex. Crofton attempts to blackmail Sir Richard, and a quarrel ensues, during which Sir Richard is killed by Rex. Previous to this, Sir Richard's son Dick, a hail-fellow-well-met chap, had a quarrel with his father on account of Dick's debts, and the elder man cast off his son. Rex, knowing this, has prepared evidence so that Dick is accused of murdering his father. He is unjustly sent to prison. Several years previous to this, Parson North, before entering the ministry, had forged some notes, which were held by Sir Richard. Dick is sent to the convict settlement in an Dieman's Land, Australia, and some wonderful scenes are shown of the convicts working on the rock pile. The chain gang is shown at work, and one of the prisoners who has tried to escape is overtaken by the guard and brought back.