"Oh, it's only an examination av yer apparel, yer clothes, bit by bit."
"My clothes?"
"Yes—to gyard against anythin' bein' concailed about ye."
"But I have nothing concealed, on my honor!"
At this the chief waved his hands deprecatingly.
"Hush!" said he. "Whisht, will ye! don't I know it? begorra meself does. It's all a mere farrum. It's a laygal inactmint that I've got to follow. Discipline must be kept up. Sure an' if I didn't obey the law meself first an' foremost, me own mind 'ud all revolt against me, an' thin where'd I be? But it'll not be anythin'. Sure to glory, many's the fine man I've shtripped, an' him none the worse for it. So go ahead, fool, an' the sooner ye begin, the sooner it'll be over."
"I—I—don't see—I—I—don't know—" stammered Russell.
"Arrah, sure to glory, it's as aisy as wink. Begin where ye are."
"What, here?" cried Russell, aghast.
"Yis."