"If you're really interested in the history of this region you
should certainly have a talk with old Mr. Kent. He's our leading
antiquarian, and knows more about the Stour Valley than any one
else. He says there was a skirmish fought here in 1645 that all
the books have overlooked. The Battle of Wolverhampton, he calls
it. He wrote a little pamphlet about it once."

I assured the good parson that my eagerness to know more about
the Battle of Wolverhampton was unbounded. I nearly spilled my
tea in my excitement.

"Is that Mr. Kent of 318, Bancroft Road?" I asked.

"Yes," answered the vicar. "How did you know?"

"They told me about him at the bookshop."

I explained that I was in Wolverhampton for a day or so only, and
finally the excellent man came across with the suggestion I was
panting for.

"Well," he said, "as it happens, I have one or two calls to make
in that direction this evening. If you care to have me do so,
I'll speak to Mr. Kent about you, and he can make an appointment.
You said you were stopping at the Blue Boar?"

I thanked him with such warmth that his eyes twinkled.

"My dear fellow," he said, "your enthusiasm does you great