(57) A sorting apparatus sequentially delivers envelopes to a staging area for transfer past a device for sensing specified characteristics of each envelope and/or its contents, and incorporates a deflector mechanism which is capable of selectively delivering envelopes to any of a plurality of receiving areas in accordance with signals received from the sensing device. The apparatus is capable of use as a stand alone unit, or as an integral portion of a mail extraction device. In either case, the area into which envelopes of a specified characteristic are deflected may be secured, so that the diverted envelopes may be safely retained for subsequent access only by authorized personnel.