Tom Jones, an infamous gang leader, is broken out of jail by his Irish gang, who maim several prison guards along the way. This high-profile jailbreak questions the authority of the Bow Street Runners and risks making Lord Newcastle look very foolish for supporting them.

The Runners travel to the Seven Dials to re-arrest Jones. With Lord Newcastle reviewing the Runners' government allowance, Henry Fielding accompanies them to make sure Jones is apprehended.