More than six decades later, Bernard St-Laurent still sees the scene in his mind’s eye. As a young boy, he is sitting in front of his family’s general store in Compton in the Eastern Townships when two men emerge. Both are elderly, dressed uncharacteristically in the same striking style of formal dark suits with tails and top hats but otherwise familiar. Startled by their outfits, he asks: “Why are you dressed like magicians?” Despite their.