A down-and-out young man resorts to petty thievery to stay afloat, but the internal turmoil and guilt over his lifestyle constantly causes him to rethink his actions.

Michel, an educated young man, has been a kleptomaniac since he first stole money from his mother. When caught in an unsuccessful theft, he attempts to justify his chosen way of life: a failure by society's standards, he can feel superior to society only by disobeying its rules. Shortly after Michel is released from custody, his mother dies, and he tries to heed the advice of his friends Jacques and Jeanne; but when he meets a master pickpocket who offers to train him, Michel resumes his life of crime and quickly becomes an accomplished thief. Eventually he senses that he is being closely observed by both Jeanne, who is in love with him, and an inspector, who wants to catch him, and he abruptly leaves France. After spending his spoils in England, he returns 2 years later and finds Jeanne alone and abandoned after having had a child by Jacques. Once more taking to picking pockets in order to provide for Jeanne, he is caught and sent to prison. When Jeanne visits him, he realizes how much he cares for her and suddenly finds himself at peace.