Das Geheimnis des Abbé X (1927)

Since the premature death of her husband, the young Marchesa has lived with her small son at her castle in St. Lätitia. Her husband’s brother is the titular Abbé X, who has pledged himself to the Catholic Church as a priest. The man of God has doubts about his twin brother’s “natural” death and travels to St. Lätitia to investigate on his own. The Abbé bears a striking resemblance to the deceased, and since the Marchesa has never ceased loving her late husband, she is now in danger of falling in love with his brother as well. To put an end to this impossible situation, the noblewoman decides to accept the advances of the much older Conte (a count) and become his wife. The handsome Abbé, who has arrived at the castle, is to marry the ill-matched couple. Meanwhile, the priest has discovered letters from his brother that raise his suspicions about the investigation. Then he also finds his brother’s body in the castle cellar. The trail soon leads him to the Conte, who apparently wanted to get rid of an unwelcome rival for the Marchesa’s affections. After the wedding, the disreputable count hoped to come into possession of the widow’s considerable fortune. Before the old man can be apprehended, he has his new wife’s child abducted by villainous servants and makes his own escape. While trying to pursue the kidnapped boy, who has been taken onto a boat, he loses his balance, falls into the lake, and drowns miserably. The Abbé rescues the boy and returns him to his distraught mother. The details of his investigation and its findings, however, remain Abbé X’s secret.