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Learn more- W.E. Todd is owner of mining properties In Deerfoot Valley, which are undeveloped and are thought not valuable. The Consolidated Properties Co., which owns adjoining properties has secretly had Todd's holdings investigated and found them very valuable. They make Todd a reasonable offer for so-called unvaluable lands, saving they want to increase their holdings. Todd does not accept but sends Gray, a young mining engineer who is in his employ, to test the property. He also invites his nephew, Dean, who is an aspirant for honors in the Marathon at the coming Olympic games, to go out with Gray and get a few months training in the mountains. Gray and Dean arrive on the property where Dean trains and Gray puts a crew of men at work and with one workman goes for a walk to look over the ground. They see likely rock and Gray puts a workman at digging. Lee, the agent of the Consolidated Co., and the man who made the offer to Todd, arrives on the lands. Gray visits the crew who have found nothing and then visits the lone workman, who has struck it rich. On his way to the office Gray meets Lee, who immediately sees that Gray has discovered that the property is valuable. Lee very smoothly humors Gray and soon makes an offer to Gray to keep mum. Gray is insulted, but when a larger offer is made gradually accepts Lee's terms. A few days later a telegram is received by both men from their New York offices that Todd will accept the terms of the Consolidated Co. on a specified day if he does not hear from Gray to the contrary. At the end of Lee's message his company writes: "Keep the lid on tight," and Lee, while in conversation with Gray, absently tears his message in pieces and drops them in the waste basket. Just after leaving the office, Dean comes in. His spiked shoe has been hurting him on account of unevenness inside. He goes to the waste basket to find pasteboard from which to cut an insole. From the folded paste-board, pieces of Lee's telegram fall out. One piece attracts Deans attention, as it reads, "- a lid on tight." Curiosity prompts him to match the pieces of the telegram together and put them in his pocket. On the day on which Todd will sell, Dean, on his morning run, attired in track suit, rounds a bend and comes upon Lee, Gray and the workman and overhears Lee, who is boasting loudly. Dean now understands the telegram and their scheme. Just then a stone slips and the conspirators turn to see Dean, who feigns just running up. He salutes and goes on. Gray and Lee are suspicious and wonder if he overheard. The three follow and they talk to Dean, who has just jumped into an auto standing before the office. As Dean drives off he answers Gray's question and they know Dean is going to foil them. Gray and Lee get horses and start in pursuit. Twenty miles to go and two hours to do it in, when after going fifteen miles the auto breaks down. Dean, determined, grits his teeth and starts out East for the five mile run. He just makes the railroad station ahead of Gray and Lee, and succeeds in getting the operator to send a message to Todd telling him not to sell at any price, before they appear on the scene. After the pursuers are sent hack enraged and disconsolate; Dean borrows an overcoat and overalls and catches the next train homeward. -- Moving Picture World synopsis
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