It may be that in those days the detection of crime was a bit
more elementary than at the present time. One can hardly
picture a modern sleuth delaying long in an attempt to
evangelize his quarry, but these general principles are the
right stuff and shine like good deeds in a naughty world.
As one peruses this little pink pamphlet he is constantly
struck by the repeated references to the detective as an
actor. That was undoubtedly the ancient concept of a sleuth.
"He must possess, also, the player's faculty of assuming any
character that his case may require, and of acting it out to
the life with an ease and naturalness which shall not be
questioned." This somewhat large order is, to our relief,
qualified a little later on. "It is not to be expected,
however," the author admits, "that every detective shall
possess these rare qualifications, although the more talented
and versatile he is, the higher will be the sphere of
operation which he will command."
The modern detective agency is conducted on business
principles and does not look for histrionic talent or general
versatility.
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