Der Taktstock Richard Wagners (1918)

Richard Wagner’s once-stolen baton causes a marriage to fall apart, as secrets and lies lead to terrible consequences. Eva Molinari, an actress, had once given that very baton to the lawyer Folkersson when they got married. Now, however, this object of cultural and historical significance becomes the undoing of their marriage, as Eva comes under suspicion of having stolen it long ago. The suspicion arises when Folkersson, by now a respected judge, hosts a small gathering to celebrate his brother Uwe’s engagement. Also present are Uwe’s fiancée, Inge, and the celebrated composer Marstrand. He immediately recognizes the baton and credibly claims that it once belonged to him and was stolen some time ago. The theft took place at a boarding house where Eva Molinari was also staying at the time. Before long, all the clues point to her, even though Eva had asked Marstrand to keep silent about the matter in order to save her marriage. As fate would have it, Judge Folkersson is officially assigned to handle the “baton” case. He is deeply shaken when he discovers that his present wife must have been the thief. The upright man sees his world collapse. He immediately asks his superior to dismiss him. Eventually, it turns out that his own brother Uwe was the one who incited Eva to steal it. Folkersson then hurries to Eva to talk things through and make peace with her. But he arrives too late: Eva could no longer bear the disgrace and has gone into the water.