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Letter bound to have shown sympathy (6)

Ross
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This clue could be a double definition.

'letter bound' is the first definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'shown sympathy' is the second definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I don't see how one could define the other.

'to have' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for locked that I've seen before include "Securely closed" , "Fastened with a key" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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