soon after , mr. huddleston received a long cable from ostend : your consignment nineteen ( 19 ) strong boxes arrived ostend yesterday 22 may at 1700 hours aboard ship `` arlington '' said consignment accepted by our representative without breaking seals which appeared intact consignment placed in ostend strong safe with guard night 22 may following our custom no evidence tampering safe guard character reliable morning 23 may our representative broke seals your consignment found consisting quantity lead pellets for gun but no gold preliminary inquiry regarding origin pellets suggests english manufacture review of broken seals suggests previous break and secondary sealing skillful nature not arousing suspicion at ordinary inspection immediately notifying police officials also government in paris reminding all of british origin british railway british steamersfiip british subjects guarding throughout request you inform british authorities i await your solution to this true puzzle louis bonnard , president bonnard et fil3 , paris originee : ostend mr. huddleston 's first reaction to the cable was reported to be `` a heated and forceful expletive , provoked by the stresses of the moment and the lateness of the hour . ''