After helping Oliver return to his grandfather, Mr. Brownlow, Dodger is arrested and sentenced to be transported to the Australian colonies for seven years. Oliver too is sent to the colonies, to learn the family trading business. And so, together, they set sail on one of the Brownlow ships

The Dodger meets his match when a teenager on his way to university in England decides to employ his amatuer detective skills to do what Sergeant Bates has failed to do… track down the Dodger.

Desperate to get to Michael, Oliver and Hannah canvas the possibility of gaining access to Colonel Springer's farm, under the guise of Chimney Sweeps, while the Dodger remains anxious to redeem himself.

When their hideout is exposed, the children are faced with major dilemmas on all fronts. And now, Scratch lies sick and helpless in their Theatre hideout. Do you help your enemy, with the knowledge that you might be contributing to your downfall?

Dodger and Kelly, now reluctant allies, flee to the only refuge left —Will's bush camp. But where the rest have been taken and why, remains a mystery.