Jefferson "On the Level" Leigh (played by William S. Hart) is a protagonist in The Cold Deck.
Notorious gambler who hides his profession from his invalid sister Alice to fund her care. After being cheated by Coralie, he robs a stagecoach out of desperation, leading to Alice's death. Framed for a murder, he surrenders, escapes a lynch mob, recovers the stolen money, and exposes the real killer before being welcomed back by the town. Alice Leigh (played by Mildred Harris) appears in The Cold Deck.
Leigh's invalid sister who serves as his primary motivation. Leigh hides his gambling profession to win enough money for her medical care. Tragically, she dies shortly after Leigh's desperate stagecoach robbery, which was driven by his immediate need to pay for a physician. "Black Jack" (played by Edwin Wallock) appears in The Cold Deck.
The actual murderer of the stagecoach messenger. While hiding, Leigh discovers his whereabouts and brings him back to town so he can face justice and receive his just deserts, clearing Leigh's name. Rose Larkin (played by Sylvia Breamer) appears in The Cold Deck.
The daughter of the murdered stagecoach messenger. After Leigh exposes the real killer and clears his name, she urges him to stay in town and promises to look after him, offering him a chance at a new life. Coralie (played by Alma Rubens) appears in The Cold Deck.
A Spanish dancer infatuated with Leigh. When he pays her little attention, she cheats him at cards by having him cold decked, causing him to lose all his money. This financial ruin directly triggers his desperate stagecoach robbery.
The Cold Deck (1917) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Jefferson "On the Level" Leigh
(played by William S. Hart) — protagonist
Notorious gambler who hides his profession from his invalid sister Alice to fund her care. After being cheated by Coralie, he robs a stagecoach out of desperation, leading to Alice's death. Framed for...
Alice Leigh
(played by Mildred Harris) — supporting
Leigh's invalid sister who serves as his primary motivation. Leigh hides his gambling profession to win enough money for her medical care. Tragically, she dies shortly after Leigh's desperate stagecoa...
"Black Jack"
(played by Edwin Wallock) — supporting
The actual murderer of the stagecoach messenger. While hiding, Leigh discovers his whereabouts and brings him back to town so he can face justice and receive his just deserts, clearing Leigh's name.
Rose Larkin
(played by Sylvia Breamer) — supporting
The daughter of the murdered stagecoach messenger. After Leigh exposes the real killer and clears his name, she urges him to stay in town and promises to look after him, offering him a chance at a new...
Coralie
(played by Alma Rubens) — supporting
A Spanish dancer infatuated with Leigh. When he pays her little attention, she cheats him at cards by having him cold decked, causing him to lose all his money. This financial ruin directly triggers h...
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Coralie → Jefferson "On the Level" Leigh
(Romantic Unrequited Infatuation)
Coralie, a Spanish dancer, is infatuated with Leigh, but when he returns little attention she has him cold decked.
Jefferson "On the Level" Leigh → Alice Leigh
(Family Sister)
Leigh endeavors to keep his profession a secret from his sister Alice, who is an invalid.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Jefferson "On the Level" Leigh → Rose Larkin
(Social Supporter)
Rose Larkin urges him to remain in the town and promises to look after him.
Jefferson "On the Level" Leigh → "Black Jack"
(Conflict Real Murderer)
Leigh brings the real murderer of the messenger, Black Jack Hurley, back to town where he gets his just deserts.
Story Analysis
A gambler's desperate quest for money leads to tragedy, framing, and eventual redemption through truth and community acceptance.
