Eighteen-year-old Irene Angel lives with her parents above the shop where her mother ekes out a living selling pickles and sauces, whilst her charming but feckless father Billy gambles away what little money they manage to earn. Billy's addiction leads him into trouble and despite having been brought up to fear and distrust the law, Irene finds herself forced to collaborate with the police to save her father from ruin. However, when Billy's errant ways result in his imprisonment in Newgate, Irene has to seek help from Inspector Edward Kent, her sworn enemy - for only she can clear her father's name.