The story is about Henry DeTamble is a time traveler, the next evolution of humans, only that he can’t control where or when he’s going – and he can’t take anything with him and that includes clothes and even tooth fillings but he does return with the bruises and injuries he has incurred. Henry, more than often, has to rely on his criminal skills (such as pick pocketing, lock picking, etc.) and, in a Dickensian twist of circular fate, even teaches his young self those same skills.