Under a venomous gaze from all three I took the letter out of the
room before opening it. Forbes was right: it was the well-known
Bancroft Road notepaper. It ran thus:


318, BANCROFT ROAD,
WOLVERHAMPTON
Saturday Evening.

DEAR MR. BLAIR,

Mr. Dunton, the vicar of S. Philip's, has just told me of your
visit to him. I am so glad to know that you take an antiquarian
interest in this region. Curiously enough, only this afternoon we
had two wires from our cousin Joe in Oxford, one of which
mentioned your being here. That gives us additional reason for
looking forward to making your acquaintance.

Mrs. Kent wants you to come to lunch with us to-morrow, at one
o'clock. Unfortunately I myself am laid up with rheumatism, but
some of the family will be delighted to take you to see the quite
surprising relics in this vicinity. Joe has probably told you all
about Fred, who is really quite one of the family. The poor
fellow needs exercise dreadfully; you must take him with you if
you go tramping. Charlie and Oliver, my boys, are away at school.

Don't attempt to reply to this, but just turn up at one o'clock.

Sincerely yours,
PHILIP KENT.