“No one knows better than yourself, Wrench, that a detective’s life is full of incident and adventure. One hears this remark often enough, but few out of the force reflect upon what a multitude of remarkable circumstances and events such an experience does cover. You must know that at one time I was night policeman in the New York force.”
“Oh, were you? I didn’t know that,” said Wrench.
“Yes, was only a night policeman at the commencement, and I must say, that notwithstanding the many disagreeable things connected with the calling, on the whole I liked it.”
“Ah, you would not like it in this country.”
“Possibly not; but I did there, and took an interest in my business. Perhaps this is why I was in several instances more successful in certain matters of importance connected with our profession than were others of my companions, and eventually attracted the head of our department. At all events, I received a note from our chief, and was agreeably surprised upon calling, to find that I was to be removed from the position I then occupied, and was to be put upon special duty as a detective officer.”
“Oh, that’s how it came about, eh?” said Wrench.
“Yes, and you—?”
“I commenced as a detective, but proceed.”
“We have had an eye upon you, Shearman,” said our leader, “and in addition to you being a brave and efficient officer, certain matters show you to be ingenious and incorruptible—the characteristics which should be vital tests in the selection of our detective force; so you know the reason of your promotion.”
“He was quite right,” observed Wrench. “I am sorry to say that corruption creeps in to no small extent here—I don’t know how it is in America.”