Before he had finished breakfast came a wire from Mr.Franklin Fullaway, answering his own:-- "Deeply grieved and astonished by your news.

Am coming down at once, and shall arrive Hull two o'clock.

In meantime keep strict guard on your cousin's effects, especially on any sealed package.

Most important this should be done." This message only added to the mass of mystery which had been thickening ever since the early hours of the morning.

Strict guard on James's effects--any sealed package--what did that mean?
But a very little reflection made Allerdyke come to the conclusion that all these vague references and hints bore relation to the possible transaction mentioned in the various telegrams already exchanged between James Allerdyke and Franklin Fullaway, and that James had on him or in his possession when he left Russia something which was certainly not discovered when Gaffney searched the dead man.
There was nothing to do but to wait: to wait for two things--the result of the medical investigation, and the arrival of Mr.Franklin Fullaway.
The second came first.