n operation his most potent machinery for the
apprehension of minor criminals. He is aware that about ninety per cent.
of his detectives have little or no detective ability. They are known as
"stool pigeon" men, and it probably would be no exaggeration to say that
they comprise ninety-five or ninety-eight per cent. of the entire active
detective force. These men, through intimidation, or money, or the
granting of protection for minor derelictions, are able to maintain a
staff of "stool pigeons," or crooks, who keep them informed of the
doings of other crooks. It is through this source that most of the
professional criminals are apprehended.

"But where does the detective work come in?" the reader asks.

It is accomplished by the two or three per cent. of real detectives on
the force.

For instance: A burglary has been committed. Part of the stolen articles
have been traced to a pawnshop. The pawnbroker describes the man who
pledged them, but the description might fit any one of a hundred
professional crooks. He does not recognize any of the Rogues Gallery
portraits as that of the man from whom he received the goods.
Pawnbrokers seldom identify crooks, for it is to their interest to plead
a bad memory in this respect.

But Detectives Burke and Duvaney ascertain from one of their "stool
pigeons" that Michael Ribbs, alias Padlock Mike, is in funds--that he
and his "moll," who may be his wife or his mistress, are enjoying the
fruits of Mike's labors. And as Mike's specialty is burglary, Chief
Manning rightfully decides that he is responsible for one or more of the
recent robberies.

From this point the real detective work begins. The chief assigns two of
his really capable men, not to solve any one of the numerous burglaries
that have been reported, but to ascertain the recent doings of Padlock
Mike and to obtain evidence--legal evidence that will stand the test of
the courts--with which to send the criminal to jail. And the chances are
that in convicting Mike, half a dozen mysterious burglaries will have
been solved.

This is the ordinary routine of detective work. Of course, there are
innumerable variations, and yet not as many as most people imagine.
About eighty-five per cent. of the detective force is constantly
employed at this routine business, while fifteen per cent., or even
less, is engaged on work that is not in a large measure mechanical.

As for Chief Manning, his genius for directing his subordinates i