The commissioner invited Dick to join him in his office; the return journey from Government House had been made in silence.

"What was all that about, Uncle?" asked Dick, repositioning the errant lock of greasy hair back over his ear. Dick read the copy of Captain Mackie's report and listened while the commissioner recounted Ira's findings. "This is serious, isn't it?"

The commissioner looked up at his nephew, wondering at the lad's parental lineage.

...