You are members of a gang of street urchins working for that old scoundrel Fagin. He gives you a little money in exchange for what you glean picking pockets across London (actually, he fences the goods you bring him for far, far more. But, well...).
During the game’s two rounds – day, then night – you must steal as many objects as you can to sell to Fagin, while trying to avoid a racing police. Only the wealthiest (relatively speaking...) at the end of the game will have any hope of earning their freedom!