Two new major characters make an appearance this issue, Raymond St. John and Cutter. The former is a lamplighter employed by the Yorkton City Council, to light and extinguish gas lights in central Yorkton . One of the things I wanted to do with the series was to make use of now long gone traditions. And one of these are lamplighters which in the days of gas lamps would have been a common sight in many cities and towns. H.V. Morton in one of his London social history books mentions the lamplighters in a chapter. Raymond also has another part to play in this series. But that will be revealed at a later date.

The second new character Cutter is altogether a different kettle of fish. He’s a villain and leader of the Yorkton Docks Gang. At the time of this story he’s a minor player in Yorkton's criminal underworld and not very powerful. But that will change. The dark, shadowy, quiet parts of the Yorkton Docks area can be a dangerous places to be, especially after dark or in the early hours of a new day. The docks will have a physical form just as soon as I can construct the set. It’s just finding the time to do so.

The last part of this story takes place at twilight, however the lighting would suggest it took place at high noon. All I can say is that as it was summer the sun hadn’t quite set or that the action took place under some very bright street lights! Lighting is something I still haven’t sufficiently worked out yet. I’m wary of having the picture so dark that a reader can’t make out what is happening.

The name IBJ Twist is a railway term. IBJ stands for Insulated Block Joint.

Jimmy the Mouth is a minor character who will be re-appearing every so often either helping or hindering Sergeant House.