The Virtuous Thief is a lost[1] 1919 American silent drama film directed by Fred Niblo.

[2] As described in a film magazine,[3] Dick Armitage (Hughes), essentially honest but weak, steals a small sum from his employer, Walter Haskell (Conklin), but confesses the theft prior to its discovery in hopes of leniency.

Haskell asks him to sign a confession and gives him three days to raise the money, meanwhile discharging him.

Dick is unable to raise the sum so his sister Shirley (Bennett) enters Haskell's employ as a stenographer to pay back the debt.

She returns to the office at night to steal Dick's confession and is caught by Haskell.