Valend recognized a sonar device and a couple of listening hookups for taps or long-range microphones.

Some agents believe that Mr. Gigante's erratic walks in lower Manhattan are done deliberately to evade long-range microphones that he fears might be used to eavesdrop on him.

A whisper to your spouse on your front porch is the public's business, say the courts; and on that intrusive analogy, long-range microphones may soon be allowed to pick up voice vibrations on windowpanes.