ette, about twenty-seven years of
age; she was of agreeable appearance and pleasing manners; she had been
a school teacher, and was a good judge of human nature. Mrs. Warne, the
superintendent of the female department, said that Miss Seaton was very
sharp, and that nothing could escape her piercing black eye. She was to
cultivate Mrs. Thayer's acquaintance, and endeavor to win her
confidence. This would probably be a difficult task; but I told Miss
Seaton to be patient and discreet, and not to be discouraged, if she
should not be immediately successful. By pretending to be in poor
health, she could obtain Mrs. Thayer's sympathy, and their progress
toward intimacy would be accelerated. Miss Seaton immediately moved to
the City Hotel, whence she set out to look for a boarding place. By a
curious coincidence, she could not satisfy herself until she came to the
house where Mrs. Thayer was boarding on the North side. There she found
a pleasant room adjoining Mrs. Thayer's, and it suited her exactly. That
evening at supper, she was introduced to her fellow boarders, of whom
there were only three besides the Captain and his sister.

The employment of female detectives has been the subject of some adverse
criticism by persons who think that women should not engage in such a
dangerous calling. It has been claimed that the work is unwomanly; that
it is only performed by abandoned women; and that no respectable woman
who becomes a detective can remain virtuous. To these theories, which I
regret to say are quite prevalent, I enter a positive denial. My
experience of twenty years with lady operatives is worth something, and
I have no hesitation in saying that the profession of a detective, for a
lady possessing the requisite characteristics, is as useful and
honorable employment as can be found in any walk of life.

Previous to the early part of 1855, I had never regularly employed any
female detectives; nor were women engaged in that capacity in any part
of the Union. My first experience with them was due to Mrs. Kate Warne,
an intelligent, brilliant, and accomplished lady. She offered her
services to me in the early spring of that year, and, in spite of the
novelty of her proposition, I determined to give her a trial. She soon
showed such tact, readiness of resource, ability to read character,
intuitive perception of motives, and rare discretion, that I created a
female department in the agency, and made Mrs. Warne the superintend