Ignatius Paul Pollaky

One of his first commissions was from Henry Sanford who asked him to spy on Confederate agents in Britain who were purchasing supplies for the American Civil War.

He often advertised in the personal section of The Times offering assistance in "election, divorce and libel cases" or "discreet enquiries in England or abroad".

During his career his reputation grew to the point that his surname was used as a humorous remonstrance against over-eager questioning by the 1870s and in 1881 he was mentioned in the Gilbert and Sullivan work, Patience, as an example of "keen penetration".

Many a mystery, many a quest, With missive and billet of lesser degree, In sooth an extraordinary company; And they seemed to ask, oh, unravel me; Never, I ween, Was a subtler seen, Concerned in divorce, or elopement, or league.

Through a lady's love and a husband's grudge, Proud as a Cardinal, sharp as a Judge; And he smiles in the face Of the scrawl of his Grace, With a satisfied look, as if he would say, "Oh, the duchess must fall in our trap to-day."

During his retirement he was well known for playing chess in the Public Room at the Brighton Pavilion and often wrote letters to The Times, signing them "Ritter von Pollaky".