The ostensible purpose of Mr Wray's visit was to check corruption in the dockyard, and it appeared to Maturin that he would probably be more successful in this than in counter-espionage. Intelligence was a highly specialized concern, and as far as he knew this was Wray's first direct connection with the department. Corruption on the other hand was universal, open to all; and since Wray in his youth had kept a carriage and a considerable establishment on an official salary of a few hundred a year and no private means it was likely that he was tolerably well acquainted with the subject.
Mr. Wray's visit ostensibly aimed to investigate corruption within the dockyard, a task that Maturin believed he might handle more effectively than the complexities of counter-espionage. Intelligence work often requires specialized knowledge, and this was Wray's first involvement in such matters, which raised doubts about his capability in that field.
In contrast, corruption was a more accessible issue, experienced universally across various levels. Given Wray's background, having maintained a lavish lifestyle on a meager official salary, he likely possessed a keen understanding of the nuances of corruption, making him well-suited for this investigation.
