Sikes goes on the run with Oliver, but his journey is interrupted. Brownlow and the police search Fagin's den. Monks returns to London, but when he arrives home he finds Brownlow, Rose and the police waiting for him.

Despite Corney and Bumble's attempts to extort money from him, Monks quickly gets the upper hand and leaves with the necklace, letter and a page of the register recording Oliver's birth. Nancy cares for Oliver, promising that she will get him back to the safety of the Brownlows. Dodger, however, is aware of Nancy's betrayal, putting her in grave danger.

Sikes escapes back to London with a badly wounded Oliver, and Nancy nurses him, determined to save his life. Mr Bumble declares his love for Mrs Corney. Rose continues to search for Oliver, but is discovered by Monks, who tells Brownlow of her secret mission.

Fagin meets Monks and is promised handsome payment if he brings about Oliver's death. Fagin reasons, however, that someone may pay to have him returned safely.

Having endured a miserable and brutal childhood, Oliver is sold to a local undertaker where his mistreatment forces him to escape to London. Once in the capital, he is welcomed into the seductive world of pick-pocketing by the criminal underworld and, before long, is in deep trouble with the law.