A Law Unto Himself

Allan Dwight, sheriff, and Jean Belleau, a young French surveyor, live in Circle City. They bear such a striking resemblance that they can hardly be distinguished one from the other. Jean has a half-wit brother, Paul, whom Holden, a political crook, teases and bullies. Dwight catches him in the act, thrashes him, and incurs the enmity of the bully. That night Holden and Pascal, a Mexican, meet McFadden to get from him their share of money contributed by Senator Thurston tor certain nefarious undertakings. McFadden does not turn over what Holden and Pascal consider their rightful share and they vow vengeance. Their opportunity comes when Paul, the half-wit, in trying to enter McFadden's outhouse to get his runaway dog, is menaced by McFadden. Pascal fires at McFadden, killing him, and then throws the gun and Paul beside the dead man. When the crowd, which is attracted by the shot, gathers around, Holden accuses Paul of the murder, and incites the mob to lynch him. Bob Clayton, a friend of Jean's, attempts to stay them, but, being unsuccessful, he hurries to notify Jean and Dwight. Dwight arrives first and tries to circumvent the mob's fury. A struggle follows in the course of which Dwight is thrown against the barrel upon which Paul is standing and the boy is hung. Jean arrives and swears vengeance upon those responsible for his brother's death. Dwight is in love with Evelyn, the daughter of Senator Thurston, who is in control of the party known as the Thurston gang. Dwight makes his feelings known in the matter of the gang's activities, and Evelyn feels that her father is the brunt of his remarks. Dwight, however, continues his course of attempting to stamp out the work of the gang. A month or so rolls by and a mysterious bandit appears. After each successful robbery he leaves a note signed "The Devil." He becomes so daring that a vigilante committee is organized to capture him. In his mountain lair it is seen that "the devil" is none other than Jean Belleau. His lieutenants are Clayton and Holden, the latter having confessed to Jean that Pascal was his brother's murderer, causing Jean to end the Mexican's existence. Holden has grown jealous of Jean and makes known the bandit's identity to two detectives, advising them that he may be known by his horse, which is branded with the form of a pitchfork. When Jean goes to town he is pursued by the officers, but escapes capture by hiding in Dwight's automobile. Dwight learns that he is in his car, and desirous t