But if the matter is
one where there is plenty of leisure to act, you can usually
do your own detective work better and cheaper than any one
else.
Regarding the work of the detective as a spy (which probably
constitutes seventy-five per cent of his employment to-day),
few persons realize how widely such services are being
utilized. The insignificant old Irishwoman who stumbles
against you in the department store is possibly watching with
her cloudy but eagle eye for shoplifters. The tired-looking
man on the street-car may, in fact, be a professional
"spotter." The stout youth with the pince nez who is
examining the wedding presents is perhaps a central-office
man. All this you know or may suspect. But you are not so
likely to be aware that the floor-walker himself is the agent
of a rival concern placed in the department store to keep
track, not only of prices but of whether or not the
wholesalers are living up to their agreements in regard to the
furnishing of particular kinds of goods only to one house; or
that the conductor on the car is a paid detective of the
company, whose principal duty is not to collect fares, but to
report the doings of the unions; or that the gentleman who is
accidentally introduced to you at the wedding breakfast is
employed by a board of directors to get a line on your host's
business associates and social companions.
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