They drew off his boots, and well-nigh stripped him naked, submitting each article of his apparel to a careful examination.

At length it was over, and Hogan held Ashburn's package, turning it over in his hands with a thoughtful expression.
"Surely, sir, you will now allow me to proceed," cried Kenneth.

"I assure you the matter is of the greatest urgency, and unless I am in London by midnight I shall be too late." "Too late for what ?" asked Hogan.
"I--I don't know." "Oh ?" The Irishman laughed unpleasantly.

Colonel Pride and he were on anything but the best of terms.

The colonel knew him for a godless soldier of fortune bound to the Parliament's cause by no interest beyond that of gain; and, himself a zealot, Colonel Pride had with distasteful frequency shown Hogan the quality of his feelings towards him.