‘That’s a level-headed chap,’ said Bellingham.  ’The man who sent that telegram.  His wiring to Vauxhall should save us a lot of time,—­we ought to hear from there directly.  Hollo! what’s this?  I shouldn’t be surprised if this is it.’

As he spoke a porter entered,—­he handed an envelope to Bellingham.  We all three kept our eyes fixed on the inspector’s face as he opened it.  When he perceived the contents he gave an exclamation of surprise.

’This Arab of yours, and his two friends, seem rather a curious lot, Mr Champnell.’

He passed the paper on to me.  It took the form of a report.  Lessingham and Sydney, regardless of forms and ceremonies, leaned over my shoulder as I read it.

’Passengers by 7.30 Southampton, on arrival of train, complained of noises coming from a compartment in coach 8964.  Stated that there had been shrieks and yells ever since the train left Waterloo, as if someone was being murdered.  An Arab and two Englishmen got out of the compartment in question, apparently the party referred to in wire just to hand from Basingstoke.  All three declared that there was nothing the matter.  That they had been shouting for fun.  Arab gave up three third singles for Southampton, saying, in reply to questions, that they had changed their minds, and did not want to go any farther.  As there were no signs of a struggle or of violence, nor, apparently, any definite cause for detention, they were allowed to pass.  They took a four-wheeler, No. 09435.  The Arab and one man went inside, and the other man on the box.  They asked to be driven to Commercial Road, Limehouse.  The cab has since returned.  Driver says he put the three men down, at their request, in Commercial Road, at the corner of Sutcliffe Street, near the East India Docks.  They walked up Sutcliffe Street, the Englishmen in front, and the Arab behind, took the first turning to the right, and after that he saw nothing of them.  The driver further states that all the way the Englishman inside, who was so ragged and dirty that he was reluctant to carry him, kept up a sort of wailing noise which so attracted his attention that he twice got off his box to see what was the matter, and each time he said it was nothing.  The cabman is of opinion that both the Englishmen were of weak intellect.  We were of the same impression here.  They said nothing, except at the seeming instigation of the Arab, but when spoken to stared and gaped like lunatics.

’It may be mentioned that the Arab had with him an enormous bundle, which he persisted, in spite of all remonstrances, on taking with him inside the cab.’

As soon as I had mastered the contents of the report, and perceived what I believed to be—­unknown to the writer himself—­ its hideous inner meaning, I turned to Bellingham.

’With your permission, Mr Bellingham, I will keep this communication,—­it will be safe in my hands, you will be able to get a copy, and it may be necessary that I should have the original to show to the police.  If any inquiries are made for me from Scotland Yard, tell them that I have gone to the Commercial Road, and that I will report my movements from Limehouse Police Station.’