- Miriam Monroe and John Conrad are two young scientific workers who, independently of each other, have discovered a chemical called exonite. Miriam discovered it while searching for a cure for cancer, while Conrad used it as a basis for a powerful explosive. When Conrad points out to her that its use could bring about world peace, Miriam works with him to perfect the formula. After Miriam's father, the head of a great corporation, receives news that the country is threatened by war, he and his partner, Albert Bernard, consider exonite for government use but Conrad, still professing peace, refuses to give up his formula for the purposes of war. Miriam, refusing to take no for an answer, steals into the lab to procure the formula, where she finds Bernard, actually a German spy, attempting to obtain the chemical for his government. After a struggle, Bernard is captured by secret service agents, and Conrad agrees to give the formula to his country.
- Miriam Monroe, daughter of Randolph Monroe, is interested in chemical research, and has discovered a cancer cure called exonite. It is also the basis of a powerful explosive developed by John Conrad. The production is expensive, and Conrad is too poor to continue his experiments. Prof. Poole introduces him to Miriam. He points out that exonite is a cure for war, since if its formula is published every nation will be afraid to wage war on account of its destructive power. Realizing its use will do the greatest good to the greatest number, she gives Conrad the exonite she has on hand, and works with him to produce more, and to discover the formula that will make the product stable. The two young people become closely in sympathy with each other. Randolph Monroe receives news that the United States may be drawn into war. He calls his partners, Bradford Duncan and Albert Bernard, to discuss the possibilities of exonite. A village is built to test the explosive's power, and a little destroys the entire village. Bernard, who is really a spy, determines to obtain possession of the formula, and encourages Conrad to perfect it, which he succeeds in doing. At the ball Major General Foster says that the first blow may be struck any moment. Miriam and Bernard have one thought, to secure the formula, Miriam for the United States, Bernard for the enemy. Miriam arrives first at Conrad's laboratory. She tells him the situation, and makes her request. To her amazement, he refuses. He is still for peace, and refuses to give up his formula for any one country. He expresses surprise that a woman should be working in the interests of war. Miriam reminds him of the part women have always played in the nation's history. He remains deaf to her pleadings. Miriam pretends to faint, and when Conrad leaves to get a restorative she extracts the formula and the exonite. She tries to escape by a rear door, but it has been locked. She is about to face Conrad, when Bernard enters and demands the exonite. Conrad refuses. Bernard pleads, threatens, attempts bribery, and when Conrad still refuses, leaps upon him. There is a struggle. Bernard tries to use his revolver, but Conrad knocks it out of harm's way, and Miriam secures it. Bernard, finding the exonite gone, tries to escape, Miriam levels his own gun at him. Secret service agents enter and take him into custody. Conrad, disgusted at the methods of the alien spy, gives his consent to have Miriam offer the formula to the government. The complete understanding is followed by an early marriage.
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