Dick Turpin, an English highwayman who robs from the rich and gives to the poor, holds up the coach of Lord Churlton. Sometime later, in aiding a coach attacked by ruffians, Dick meets aristocratic Alice Brookfield, who is being forced by her family to marry Churlton. Dick offers to assist her to avoid the unwanted marriage, and they travel to London together, with Alice disguised as a boy. Churlton pursues them, and, after several narrow escapes, Dick is captured by the royal guards and sentenced to be hanged. On the scaffold, Dick is told by his friend, Tom King, who has taken the hangman's place, that the crowd is sympathetic; and Dick makes his escape, riding his horse to York. Dick finds the house where Alice is being held prisoner, kills Churlton, and escapes to France with Alice, whom he marries. Dick gives up his profession and settles down to family life.—AFI