Crooknose is a child of the slums. The slums his mother, dark alleys his father and his family is composed of the crook, the gambler, the demi-monde and the policeman. But despite these family connections Crooknose is organically a decent fellow.
At the death of Burke, the bulk of his fortune goes to his only son, Rory, a baby in arms. The child is in the keeping of his uncle. Sir Everett, who had a son of Rory's age. That his own son might inherit the fortune Everett causes Rory to be kidnapped.
