A Master of Deception

Rodney Elmore has inherited criminal tendencies from his father, but his charm always wins through. He adds to his income through various means, including swindling and theft, and is simultaneously courting four women: the rich one (Stella) he promises to marry, his bubbly cousin (Gladys) is intended for a free union, the mischievous one (Mary) he plans to marry once they have both secured some money, and his landlady’s daughter (Mabel) is pregnant. When his uncle, who knows of Rodney’s family background, gets difficult, Rodney poisons him on a train. As the authorities begin to close in, Rodney vanishes together with a good deal of money and Mary.