The author deftly integrates the campaign for the Oregon School Question of 1922, an anti-immigrant, anti-catholic referendum that outlawed parochial schools in Oregon. The brothers, with all their other problems, have to endure this paranoid bias brought on by the fear of the spread of Bolshevism. Here we have another case of a fiction writer bringing attention to some sad instances in our history that are not known by a large number of readers.

Ever the true brother, Carl sticks by Adam when he is accused of stealing. Much of the book is taken up with Carl’s diligent effort to prove that his brother is not guilty of any crimes. His effort is more heroic because his brother doesn’t seem to care and certainly doesn’t offer any help in the matter.

In his attempt to exonerate Adam, Carl must face the local police (who are not in the least interested in his theories), the Klan, and his own fears and misgivings. Through it all, Carl learns to be a leader rather than a follower and to accept facts when they become apparent beyond doubt.

A very nice story made even better by the inclusion of the historically-related material on the ant-immigrant, anti-catholic situation.