Plunkett and Macleane, come together as an unlikely, but potent, team. Although from different ends of England's social spectrum, they enter into a "gentelman's agreement." Plunkett has the brains and the know-how; Plunkett aspires to journey to America, while Macleane seeks to enter high society. Macleane's social ambitions are facilitated by his old friend, the foppish and debauched Lord Rochester. Infiltrating wealthy society, Macleane gathers information, which the duo then use to stage holdups of aristocrats' coaches. When the men waylay the coach of the Lord Chief Justice Gibson, Macleane falls in love at first sight with Gibson's beautiful, rebellious niece, Lady Rebecca Gibson. Macleane courts Lady Rebecca whenever and wherever possible. But Gibson's second-in-command, Thief Taker General Chance, pursues the highwaymen relentlessly and pursues Lady Rebecca as well. As danger draws ever closer to Plunkett and Macleane, their daring and loyalty are pushed to the limit.