"An American Earl" As the picture begins we see that De Vaux, who at the conclusion of the last chapter struck down Blair Stanley with a battle mace, dropped the diamond, which he had taken from Blair's neck, and that the jewel fell into the upturned hat of Marmaduke Smyth, the lawyer. Upon discovering the relic, Marmaduke carefully conceals the gem in his coat pocket and goes in to interview Blair. After a stormy session, in which Marmaduke clearly makes it known that he doubts Blair's right to the Stanley fortune, the lawyer is dismissed. In picking up his belongings, Marmaduke accidentally discharges a rifle and the bullet, striking the deer head which Marmaduke had lugged all over America, releases a spring that permits the deer head to fall forward from the wooden shield on which it had been supported, and reveals on old and tattered bit of paper within, which falls to the floor. Examining this document, Marmaduke discovers with surprise that it is dated 1680 and is nothing less than the marriage certificate, which proves that the first Sir Arthur Stanley really married the gypsy maid who, later, bore him a son after leaving him and assuming her former name of Harding. Blair, upon learning of this document, insists on Marmaduke giving it to him, but at this moment Scotland Yard detectives arrive with extradition papers, demanding the return of Blair to Virginia for the murder of Dr. Lee. Blair and Vivian have a tearful scene following his arrest, and then Blair, without handcuffs, is escorted to a taxicab to be taken to police headquarters. At a street intersection De Vaux, in a heavy automobile, collides with the police automobile, upsetting the big car and Blair crawls out of the wreckage, leaps into De Vaux's car and succeeds in escaping. Weeks later Marmaduke arrives in Virginia for the purpose of consulting the church records and finding it they agree with the marriage certificate he has found. Being satisfied that the document is genuine, Marmaduke hastens to find Arthur, who, with Esther, is living in a gypsy camp. A tiny son and heir has been born to them and a great celebration follows when Marmaduke makes known his discovery and tells them that Arthur's child is legally entitled to the Stanley fortune, the estate of Stanley Hall in England, and the title of earl. As the story ends, Quabba is made king of the gypsy camp, since Arthur and Esther renounce all further allegiance to the wandering tribe and go to take up their home in Richmond. -Motography, November 20, 1915, p. 1084-5.
See Chapter One for cast list. In "The American Earl," the North American film novel, "The Diamond from the Sky," comes to a close, thus ending the thirtieth and final chapter of what is generally conceded to be one of the most interesting motion picture serials ever offered the public. In saying this ends the story the reviewer is technically wrong, for the closing episode asks for the suggestion of a ten-part sequel to the story, and upon the conclusion of the contest by which this sequel will be secured, ten more chapters will be screened. It now remains for the scenario writers of the country to suggest what becomes of Blair Stanley and Vivian, what happens to the child, and who finally possesses "The Diamond from the Sky," the facts that are expected to form the basis for the sequel to the present serial. Photographically and from the standpoint of the sensational, chapter thirty of "The Diamond from the Sky" is fully as sensational as was chapter one, for the last chapter contains a most realistic automobile collision, together with the revealment of the document which proves Arthur Stanley's right to his name and title, and results in the diamond heirloom being bestowed upon Arthur's little son, who thereby becomes the American earl and inherits the Stanley fortune. The film subtitles, hinting at the main points to be covered in the contest for a sequel to this story, bring the reel to a close." - Neil G. Caward, Motography, November 20, 1915, p. 1084-5.
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