Sentence:  I've done these inquiries myself, Col. The top people can always put up such a bloody fine brick wall for themselves that no outsider has a chance of getting over or seeing through. But the same wall may stop some nonentity making his getaway, and he's the one the inquiry <WSD>keelhauls</WSD>. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To rebuke harshly.