February 12th, 1873, Armed Constabulary Depot, Mount Cook. 2230 hours.

The commissioner was pacing his office; he was anxious to hear word from Sergeant McDonald or Sergeant Rangitira. After returning from the Freemasons' lodge, the commissioner had immediately sent as many men as he could spare to the Adelaide Road station. Needing some fortification, he opened his desk drawer and poured himself a healthy shot of brandy - to take the edge off, he justified this ...