but Ashburn's letter, surely they would release him.

But their search was very thorough. 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. That Hogan was
not afraid of him, was because it was not in Hogan's nature to
be afraid of anyone. But he realized at least that he had
cause to be, and at the present moment it occurred to him that
it would be passing sweet to find a flaw in the old Puritan's
armour. If the package were harmless his having opened it was
still a matter that the discharge of his duty would sanction.
Thus he reasoned; and he resolved to break the seal and make
himself master of the contents of that letter.