Two burglars break into a house, ransack a chest of drawers, and flee. A maid discovers the theft and summons Lady Owen and her butler. While he chases after the burglars, Lady Owen and the maid examine the crime scene.

The butler pursues the burglars, who, after jumping over a stile, turn and shoot at him. The butler falls to the ground, wounded. The burglars then hide their ill-gotten gains in a pipe by the side of the road.

In a nearby cottage, a family (man, woman, child, dog) come to terms with the fact that they have no food. The man leaves with the dog, and they come across a sign offering a £100 reward for the discovery of Lady Owen's stolen jewels. The man attempts to sell his dog to a passer-by, who seems keen on the idea, but he relents at the last minute. The dog discovers the pipe with the stolen jewels and shows them to the man.

The butler (with his arm in a sling) introduces the man to Lady Owen, who summons the police and writes out a cheque for £100. The maid hands the man a basket. A policeman arrives and hatches a plan.

The jewels are put back in the pipe, and the police catch the burglars when they return to retrieve them. The man returns to his family in triumph, and Lady Owen gives the dog an expensive collar.