more refined, sounds better, and looks prettier in public print
The motto of Pinkerton's National Detective Agency is, "We Never Sleep," and the secret operative is the apple of that ever-wakeful eye, for it is the secret operative who is the main source of revenue and profit at every branch of the Agency.
No talent or skill whatever is necessary in order to become an operative of this class, and a workingman of average intelligence, who is willing to obey orders, is the one who, as an operative, gives the Agency the best satisfaction.
The reports of the secret operative as to the competency and industry of his fellow-workmen are of interest and importance to the client, as this information, which he would find it difficult to obtain otherwise, enables him to weed out such of his employees as are either incompetent or inclined to shirk.