inkerton is a good judge of men. There are others here who consider
that they are. We handle over ten thousand separate cases in all parts
of the United States every year. We work on a case only so long as we
are wanted. We try to find out only such things as our customers want.
We do not pry unnecessarily into anybody's affairs. If we decide that we
cannot find out what you want to know, we are the first to say so. Many
cases are rejected right here in this office before we ever begin. Yours
might be such a one. We don't want cases merely for the sake of having
them, and we are frank to say so. Some matters that involve public
policy, or some form of small persecution, we don't touch at all--we
won't be a party to them. You can see how that is. You look to me to
be a man of the world. I hope I am one. Does it strike you that an
organization like ours would be likely to betray any one's confidence?"
He paused and looked at Butler for confirmation of what he had just
said.

"It wouldn't seem likely," said the latter; "that's the truth. It's not
aisy to bring your private affairs into the light of day, though," added
the old man, sadly.

They both rested.

"Well," said Butler, finally, "you look to me to be all right, and I'd
like some advice. Mind ye, I'm willing to pay for it well enough; and it
isn't anything that'll be very hard to find out. I want to know whether
a certain man where I live is goin' with a certain woman, and where. You
could find that out aisy enough, I belave--couldn't you?"

"Nothing easier," replied Martinson. "We are doing it all the time. Let
me see if I can help you just a moment, Mr. Scanlon, in order to make it
easier for you. It is very plain to me that you don't care to tell any
more than you can help, and we don't care to have you tell any more
than we absolutely need. We will have to have the name of the city, of
course, and the name of either the man or the woman; but not necessarily
both of them, unless you want to help us in that way. Sometimes if you
give us the name of one party--say the man, for illustration--and the
description of the woman--an accurate one--or a photograph, we can tell
you after a little while exactly what you want to know. Of course, it's
always better if we have full information. You suit yourself about that.
Tell me as much or as little as you please, and I'll guarantee that
we will do our best to serve you, and that you will be satisfied
afterward."

He s