There was no question as to who was the guiding creative hand behind World's The Social Highwayman. Not only did Edwin August direct the film, but he also played both the leading roles. Upon marrying an Italian peasant girl, English aristocrat John Jaffray (August) is disowned by his wealthy family. Reduced to poverty, Jaffray and his wife resort to stealing to keep the wolf from the door. As a result, their son Curtis (also played by August) grows up to become a bandit. Running away from home, Curtis resettles in America, where he straightens himself out and becomes a decent member of society. Upon inheriting his grandfather's estate, Curtis returns to England. Coinciding with his return is a series of robberies committed by someone calling himself "The Social Highwayman," who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Can it possibly be that our boy Curtis and "The Social Highwayman" are really one and the same? (Well, did you ever seem them photographed together?)