Det. Murdoch and Const. Crabtree investigate the murder of a street urchin who they subsequently learn went by the name of Pip. Dr. Ogden determines that the boy was strangled with something that left a unique mark on the his neck. She also notes that he was wearing a proper and quite new suit of clothes, something odd for a boy who lived on the street. Their investigation leads them to another young boy named Dorrie. It seems pretty clear that the children are the bottom rung of a gang that specializes in burglarizing homes while the occupants are away on holidays or business trips. The police are assisted throughout by a young telephone operator, Tess Moffatt, who would love to be an investigator. Meanwhile Inspector Brackenreid hits the campaign trail in his quest for a seat on city council.
—garykmcd