The Burglar

A Philadelphia estate sets the stage when a wealthy man's will leaves his property to Sister Sara, the leader of a spiritualist group. Among the bequests lies a jeweled necklace that immediately becomes the prize for a planned theft. The setup establishes motive and target for the ensuing crime.

Nat Harbin recruits Baylock and Dohmer, then brings in Gladden, the mentor's daughter, to help steal the necklace. The assembled crew combines different motives and skills, but trust among them is fragile. The plan hinges on covert access to the estate and a clean getaway.

Gladden travels undercover as a devotee, observing the estate’s routines and security. She identifies where Sister Sara keeps the safe and maps the mansion’s layout. Her reconnaissance becomes crucial for a quiet, well-timed break-in.

On the night of the theft, Harbin parks near the mansion and feigns car trouble to distract authorities. After the policemen depart, he slips inside through a window, locates the safe, and removes the necklace. The heist proceeds with careful timing and little apparent disruption.

The thieves change their vehicle plates and speed away, but another car keeps them in sight. A tense pursuit unfolds as they attempt to vanish into the night. The escape seeds the longer chase and eventual confrontation.

An officer who questioned Harbin arranges for an artist to sketch the robber, increasing the pressure on the crew. At their hideout, Harbin shares details of his past with Gladden, and a heated altercation with Dohmer ratchets up distrust. The seeds of betrayal begin to sprout.

After the confrontation, Harbin sends Gladden off to Atlantic City to wait for him. The separation sends Gladden into a more dangerous situation and sets her on a new stage where she can be targeted. Her movement to AC marks a pivot in the pursuit.

Back in Philadelphia, Harbin meets Della, who invites him to her apartment. He wakes to find she has vanished, then discovers she’s involved with the same man who has been shadowing Gladden and plotting to take the necklace. The connection between Della and the jewel grows troubling.

Realizing Gladden is in danger, Harbin speeds toward Atlantic City with Blaylock and Dohmer. A toll booth operator recognizes him from the police sketch and alerts authorities, tightening the net. The road becomes a corridor of impending confrontation.

The gang's car is stopped for a routine traffic violation, and Dohmer shoots the policeman in the ensuing chaos. They abandon the car near Atlantic City and take refuge in a deserted shack. The escape devolves into a tense standoff as pursuit closes in.

Harbin realizes the man courting Della is Charlie, the officer who questioned him earlier. He hides the necklace in Gladden's room during a quarrel, then, back at the shack, Gladden moves the jewels into her musical jewel box. The duo tighten their grip on the evidence as danger mounts.

Harbin and Gladden meet Charlie at Atlantic City's Steel Pier, where Harbin offers the necklace in exchange for Gladden's life. Charlie shoots Harbin as the show continues, and the police arrive to arrest him after finding the jewelry on him. Della arrives, furious at being cut out, and the case ends with the necklace recovered and the criminals in custody.