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CHAPTER XLVIII 235 Narrow Paths of Fate." This starts as a drama, but in the latter part of the second reel is more melodramatic. It will be the purpose of this chapter to follow the process by which this plot was con- ceived and developed. 2. The real start or inception of this story was a request for some two-reel western subjects. In seeking a theme, trial by ordeal sug- gested itself, largely because this had occurred in a book of chivalry recently read. Trial by ordeal required some real or imagined offense which called for the test. This cannot ,be something contrary to criminal law, for crime must be punished by due process of law and not by the individual. It must be something that man settles with man and not through the courts. The next question to be decided, and it must be decided before the previous question is answered, is as to the guilt or innocence of the man. Was the offense real or imag- inary? Decision is made in favor of innocence. If the man is guilty, he must be punished. It is generally required by the dra- matic conventions that guilt must be punished. If the man is wrong- fully accused he may emerge from the test triumphant or he may become an innocent victim. Either will be more dramatic than the punishment of guilt. If the man is guilty he is punished by suc- cumbing to the test and the arm of coincidence is sprained once more. Innocence seems to be best from every angle, and so is decided upon. 3. This decided, at once the previous question comes back. The man is innocent, but of what was he accused? Evidently this must be a breach of trust not criminal in its aspect. Violation of the home is generally the simplest and most interesting form of breach of trust. If a man steals your money he can be sent to prison. If he steals your wife you can sue him, if you wish, and he may be fined, but seldom will be imprisoned. Naturally this makes for a tendency to take the law into one's own hands. But a breach of home may cover an offense against the other's wife, sister or daughter. Naturally elopement with the wife will be more striking, and so it is decided that the wife is the chief figure. As the offense was imagined and not real there must be some grounds for the belief. We view a number of suggestions and decide upon the development that the wife elopes with one man and plans to divert suspicion to the other. 4. This will require considerable planning. If the woman elopes with one man and blames it on another, all three must disappear, else the suspected man will be left behind. They must all three get out of the reach of the husband, there must be a logical reason for the disappearance of the innocent man and a logical reason for caus- ing the husband to suspect him and so to overlbok the disappearance of the other man. When the elopement is accomplished the status of the story must be such that the husband accepts unquestioningly the statement that his wife has gone with the suspected friend and not with the other.