The prisoner stripped and showed his back, striped livid and red by the cutting straps.
Mr. Lacy gave a start, but the next moment he resumed his official composure, and at this juncture Mr. Hawes bustled into the cell and fixed his eye on the prisoner.
“What are you doing?” said he, eying the man.
“The gentleman made me strip, sir,” said the prisoner with an ill-used air.
“Have you any complaint to make against me?”
“No, sir!”
“Then what have you been humbugging us for all this time,” cried Mr. Williams contemptuously.
“For instance,” cried Mr. Eden in the same tone, glancing slyly at Mr. Lacy, “how dare you show us frightful wales upon your back when you know they only exist in your imagination—and mine.”
Mr. Lacy laughed. “That is true, he can't retract his wales, and I shall be glad to know how they came there.” Here he made a note.
“I will show you by and by,” said Mr. Eden.